Trump Criticizes Netanyahu's 'Excited' Military Campaign in Lebanon at G7 Summit

President Donald Trump publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's continued military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon during a G7 press conference in Évian-les-Bains, France on June 17, 2026. Trump suggested Netanyahu "gets a little excited sometimes" and called for a more measured approach, stating that Israel need not "knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah." The president expressed particular sympathy for Lebanon, describing its historical cultural significance before decades of conflict reduced it to what he called "living in hell."

Trump's criticism reflects growing tension between the White House and its Israeli ally over the scope and timing of military strikes. The president has been promoting a memorandum of understanding with Iran announced on Sunday aimed at ending their conflict, which he has prioritized as a major diplomatic achievement. However, Israel has continued striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon even after U.S. negotiators reached the deal with Iran—a development that complicates Trump's peace agenda. Iran has stated that the memorandum is contingent on Israeli forces ending their hostilities in Lebanon.

The president has grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu in recent weeks, escalating his criticism notably. In a phone call at the turn of the month, Trump urged Netanyahu to stop the campaign. He has also asserted publicly that "if there wasn't me, there'd be no Israel right now." Despite his sharp words on Wednesday, Trump expressed confidence that the U.S. could still work with Israel to resolve the conflict, though he emphasized the human cost of the military operations, particularly in Beirut where civilian casualties are mounting alongside infrastructure damage.