Trump praises Netanyahu, urges restraint in Lebanon, 'You don't have to knock down every building'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump delivered an unusually candid assessment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference in France on Wednesday, June 17, mixing praise with a rare public reprimand.

While hailing Netanyahu as a trusted ally and "a very good man," Trump revealed a growing disagreement over Israel's military actions in Lebanon, suggesting that some responses against Hezbollah have gone too far at a time when Washington is pushing for a regional peace breakthrough.

Trump reveals rare disagreement with Netanyahu

For months, Trump has stood firmly behind Israel during escalating tensions across the Middle East.

But during remarks following the G7 summit, the president acknowledged that he and Netanyahu are not seeing eye-to-eye on every issue.

Discussing the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah, Trump disclosed that Lebanon has become a point of disagreement between the two leaders.

"We have a little dispute over Lebanon," Trump said.

The remark immediately stood out because public disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu have been relatively rare despite occasional tensions behind closed doors.

While Trump stressed that Israel has every right to defend itself, he suggested that some responses have been unnecessarily aggressive and risk creating larger problems than they solve.

Trump's most memorable comments came when he described Netanyahu's leadership style.

"In all fairness to Bibi Netanyahu, who happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes," Trump told reporters.

The president quickly followed that criticism with praise. "But he happens to be a very good man. We've had an amazing partnership. He's been an amazing prime minister."

Trump then revealed the advice he says he has personally given the Israeli leader. "I say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi."

"You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah."

The comments represented one of Trump's most direct public critiques of Israeli military tactics while simultaneously reaffirming his support for Netanyahu.

Trump-Netanyahu tensions over Lebanon

Trump's comments come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and as his administration continues pursuing a broader diplomatic framework aimed at stabilizing the region.

The president has repeatedly argued that Iran was dangerously close to obtaining nuclear capabilities before recent developments changed the equation.

Earlier, Trump had slammed Netanyahu for striking Lebanon when the US was close to striking a deal with Iran.

Trump had said, “Bibi has no judgment; it was so bad I couldn’t believe it”, revealing he delivered an immediate, blunt rebuke to Netanyahu after the attack.

His push for restraint in Lebanon also arrives as Washington seeks to avoid actions that could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and other regional players.

While Trump made clear that his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong, his remarks offered a rare glimpse into the differences emerging between two leaders who have often appeared united on Middle East policy.

For now, Trump appears determined to maintain the alliance while signaling that military power alone cannot be the answer to every challenge confronting the region.