Not Happy Israel Caused Many Casualties, Trump Said Syria Will Solve the Hezbollah Problem

President Trump with President Al-Sharaa at the White House last year. (Wikimedia Commons/Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump)

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had advised Israel that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa deal with Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia because Israel's campaign was causing too many casualties.

Praising al-Sharaa for doing "an incredible job," Trump told the G7 summit: "If Israel can't solve the problem (against Hezbollah) without killing everyone else, then he (al-Sharaa) will solve the problem. Syria will solve the problem," reported Al Arabiya from AFP (17/6).

Al-Sharaa "is very good with Hezbollah, doesn't like them," Trump said, adding that the Syrian leader, who came to power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, "is not a good kid."

Israel "has been fighting Hezbollah for too long and too many people have been killed," he said.

"I would suggest to Israel to let Syria deal with Hezbollah because, frankly, I think they would do a better job," Trump said.

Following reports that his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had deteriorated, Trump said "Bibi (Netanyahu) has to be more responsible for Lebanon."

"I'm not happy with the way Israel is handling Lebanon and Hezbollah. They should have been able to finish the job sooner," Trump said.