Trump says Netanyahu could use 'softer touch' in Lebanon

FREE Breaking News Alerts from StreetInsider.com!

E-mail Address

StreetInsider.com Top Tickers, 6/23/2026

1. SPCX
2. NVDA
3. ACN
4. USO
5. DFTX
6. GOOGL
7. APGE
8. HOOD
9. MU
10. IBM

June 17, 2026 1:01 PM EDT

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, June 17 (Reuters) - ‌Donald Trump said ​on ​Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use a "softer touch" in the fight against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, the ‌U.S. president's latest public rebuke to his partner in the ⁠war on Iran.

Netanyahu and Trump have repeatedly clashed over Israel's refusal to constrain its pursuit ‌of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, ‌where a cessation of hostilities is a key Iranian demand under a limited interim agreement with the U.S.

"Netanyahu happens to be a ​good man, gets a little excited sometimes," Trump told reporters on Wednesday at the close of a G7 summit in France.

The Israeli leader ⁠helped convince Trump to go to war against Iran, according to U.S. and Israeli officials, and ​joined in attacks launched on February 28.

But Netanyahu has insisted Israel is not bound by any U.S.-Iran agreement in ​its fight against Hezbollah, though hostilities in ‌Lebanon have abated somewhat since Trump sharply criticized him earlier this week.

"We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I ⁠say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi," Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. "You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody ⁠walks into it that's from Hezbollah."

Trump added that he agreed with the description of ​Israel as being a "very small partner" of the United States but thanked Netanyahu for his role in the conflict against Iran, Israel's arch-foe.

He also insisted he had ‌sent Netanyahu a copy of the "memorandum of understanding" the U.S. reached with Iran on Sunday, pushing back against news ‌reports that the administration had turned down an Israeli request. It paves ⁠the way for broader U.S.-Iran ‌peace talks set to begin ​in Switzerland on Friday.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick; writing by Costas Pitas; editing by Michelle Nichols and ‌Deepa Babington)


Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters

Related Entities

Donald J. Trump