After saying there "would be no Israel" without him, President Donald Trump insisted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."
Speaking to reporters Tuesday at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Trump delivered some of his sharpest public criticism yet of Israel's handling of the conflict with Hezbollah, warning that renewed fighting risks undermining the administration's emerging peace agreement with Iran.
"Without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel," Trump told reporters. "Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."
The president's comments came after Israeli forces launched airstrikes in a Beirut suburb over the weekend, targeting what the Israeli military said was a Hezbollah command center.
The strike occurred as the United States and Iran were finalizing a preliminary agreement aimed at ending months of regional conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Trump made clear he was unhappy with the timing of the operation.
"I didn't like where two hours before we're signing the agreement that there was an attack in Lebanon, in Beirut," Trump said, describing the strike as "vicious" and "too much."
The president nevertheless emphasized that he maintains a strong relationship with Netanyahu and remains firmly supportive of Israel's security.
"We've had a very effective relationship," Trump said, while noting that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah has dragged on for too long. "Too many people are being killed."
Trump has touted the U.S.-Iran framework as a major diplomatic victory that guarantees Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon while reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls or restrictions.
Vice President JD Vance has described the memorandum of understanding as a short, preliminary document, with broader negotiations still ahead.
The agreement, however, has faced skepticism from some Israeli officials.
Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would continue maintaining security zones in Lebanon and other neighboring areas regardless of the U.S.-Iran accord.
"The struggle has not ended," Netanyahu declared, vowing to keep Israeli forces deployed as long as necessary to protect the country, The Hill reported.
Trump suggested that continued Israeli military operations against Hezbollah could complicate efforts to secure a lasting peace.
He even floated the idea that Syria's government might be better positioned to confront the Iranian-backed terror group.
"I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah," Trump said. "I think they would do a better job."
Despite tensions over Lebanon, Trump expressed confidence that the Iran agreement remains on track.
A formal signing ceremony is expected later this week in Geneva, where administration officials hope to begin a broader process aimed at stabilizing the Middle East, securing global energy supplies, and preventing Iran from ever becoming a nuclear power.