Trump Suggests Syria Take Over Hezbollah After Criticizing Israel's High Casualties

(Central News Agency, Aviron Barn, France, June 16 — comprehensive international report) U.S. President Trump said today that he has suggested Israel allow Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to deal with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite fundamentalist militia, due to the excessive casualties caused by Israel's military operations.

According to AFP, during the G7 summit, Trump praised al-Sharaa as "performing very well" and stated: "If Israel cannot handle Hezbollah without killing others, then he will take charge. Syria will handle this."

Trump noted that al-Sharaa "has good relations with Hezbollah but does not like them." He described the Syrian leader as "not a conventional person." Al-Sharaa, a former jihadist, rose to power after the fall of Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad.

Trump said Israel "has fought Hezbollah too long and killed too many people."

He added: "I suggested Israel let Syria take responsibility for Hezbollah. Frankly, I think they would do a better job."

Regarding media reports of deteriorating relations with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump said: "On the Lebanon issue, Bibi (Netanyahu's nickname) should be more responsible… I'm not satisfied with how Israel has handled Lebanon and Hezbollah. They should have resolved the issue faster." (Translation: Ho Hung-ju) 1150616