Trump Rebukes Netanyahu Over Lebanon Offensive as US-Iran Peace Deal Advances

A widening diplomatic chasm between the United States and Israel spilled into public view on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump heavily criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing military operations in Lebanon. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Trump expressed sharp disapproval of the civilian toll and the pace of the Israeli campaign, warning that the parallel conflict is jeopardizing Washington's broader diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.[1][4][8]

The friction centers on a newly finalized memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, designed to end their direct military confrontation and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz to global shipping. A formal signing ceremony is expected in Switzerland later this week, which will trigger a 60-day negotiation window to address Iran's nuclear program and other regional security architectures.[5]

However, the theater of war in Lebanon has emerged as a massive stumbling block. Iranian officials have explicitly stated that a full ceasefire in Lebanon is an inseparable component of the agreement, warning that any continued Israeli military presence or strikes in the country would constitute a direct violation of the U.S.-Iran deal. Tensions flared over the weekend when Israel launched a strike on Beirut just two hours before the U.S. and Iran were scheduled to finalize their accord.[3][5][8]

At the G7 summit, Trump did not mince words regarding his frustration with the Israeli leadership. He characterized the Lebanon conflict as a "minor war" compared to the broader confrontation with Iran, stating that he was "not happy" with how Israel has handled Hezbollah. Trump argued that Israel should have finished the job faster and called the rising civilian death toll unacceptable, noting that the prolonged fighting "throws a negative light on the big deal."[4][8]

In a highly unorthodox diplomatic pivot, the U.S. President even suggested that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa would be better suited to manage the containment of Hezbollah. Trump claimed he had suggested to Israel that they let Syria take care of the militant group, asserting that the Syrian leader is "very capable" and would do a "better job" without the extensive collateral damage currently seen in Lebanon.[4]

The public rebuke follows reports of a highly volatile private phone call between the two leaders. Trump recently acknowledged using expletives during a conversation with Netanyahu, reportedly calling the Israeli Prime Minister "crazy" for escalating the war in Lebanon and accusing him of ingratitude. According to leaked accounts of the call, Trump warned Netanyahu that "everybody hates Israel because of this" and insisted that the fighting had to stop.[3][7]

Despite the immense pressure from Washington, Israeli leadership remains defiant. In a televised address, Netanyahu ruled out any immediate withdrawal, declaring that Israel has established deep "security zones" in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, vowing that the Israel Defense Forces will remain in southern Lebanon indefinitely to protect northern Israeli communities, regardless of the diplomatic agreements struck between the U.S. and Iran.[2][6]

The standoff has triggered intense political turbulence within Israel. Far-right members of Netanyahu's coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have demanded that Israel ignore the U.S.-Iran deal entirely, arguing that it does not bind Jerusalem. Conversely, opposition leaders like Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett have seized on the crisis to criticize Netanyahu, accusing him of leading the country into a war of attrition, failing to achieve decisive victories, and alienating Israel's most important ally.[2][6]

As diplomats prepare for the signing ceremony in Switzerland, the unresolved Lebanon front remains a massive wildcard. With Iran demanding an end to Israeli strikes and Israel vowing to maintain its security zones indefinitely, the U.S. administration faces the daunting task of enforcing a regional truce while its closest Middle Eastern ally openly rejects the terms.[3][5]