Trump 'not happy' with Netanyahu's conduct in Lebanon
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he did not think an attack on Hezbollah by Israel would necessarily sink the agreement, though he said he was "not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah."
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed nearly 4,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, and displaced more than 1 million since fighting there began on March 2. "Israel’s fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed," Trump said.
Trump has been pushing for a deal as he faces political blowback at home, where the war is unpopular and has driven up gasoline prices.
"If Netanyahu gets in between something Trump really wants, and that’s out of this war, he’s prepared to use the leverage that he has," said Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East issues to Democratic and Republican administrations over two decades.
An agreement is scheduled to be signed on Friday in the Burgenstock resort near the city of Luzern. Speaking on Tuesday at the annual G7 summit in France, Trump said he told Netanyahu that he's been unhappy with his recent moves.
"Without the U.S., there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did," Trump said. "I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."
Source: Associated Press
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