Trump Urges Israel to Use 'Softer Touch' in Lebanon, Suggests Syria Could Target Hezbollah

US President Donald Trump called on Israel to exercise greater restraint in its military operations in Lebanon during remarks at the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on June 17. Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a "softer touch," saying Israel need not destroy buildings every time Hezbollah members enter them. Trump suggested that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa could address the Hezbollah problem through military precision strikes, describing the militant group as an enemy of Syria that al-Sharaa "would love" to target.

Trump acknowledged that Lebanon may oppose Syrian military intervention in its territory, noting that Lebanese leaders' preferences should be considered in any such discussions. He indicated that upcoming visits from Lebanese leadership—including the president and prime minister—within the next one to two weeks would provide an opportunity to address the matter directly with the Lebanese government.

However, Syrian diplomatic signals have contradicted Trump's suggestion. Lebanese diplomat and former Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour told TASS that on June 11, al-Sharaa publicly rejected the possibility of Syrian military intervention in Lebanon, stating that Syria's current position is focused on ending the war rather than interfering in Lebanese affairs. This statement effectively countered earlier discussions about potential Syrian participation in the Lebanese conflict that had been prompted by US suggestions.