Trump Mocks Netanyahu, Backs Syria Over Israel to Handle Hezbollah - Middle East Power Shift Analysis | Langit Eastern

16 June 2026 • • min read

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SUMMARY: US President Donald Trump openly mocked Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu during the G7 Summit on Tuesday (June 16), stating that Syria under Ahmed Al Sharaa could "do a better job" than Israel in dealing with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The statement reflects Trump's growing frustration with Netanyahu's continued strikes on Lebanon, which are jeopardizing US-Iran peace negotiations ahead of a planned MoU signing in Switzerland on June 19.

Donald Trump's unprecedented remarks at the G7 Summit on June 16, 2026, mark a significant shift in US Middle East policy rhetoric. Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa — whom he referred to as "the man I put there" — should be given the opportunity to "handle Hezbollah" instead of Israel. This direct jab at Netanyahu signals the deepest rift yet between the two allies.

The strategic implications of Trump's statement are far-reaching. Israel has spent years attempting to weaken Hezbollah's grip on southern Lebanon and stop the Iran-backed militia's rocket capabilities. Yet these efforts have not fully succeeded. Trump's argument is pragmatic: Sharaa understands Hezbollah's internal dynamics intimately, has intelligence networks on the ground, and is motivated by a personal dislike of the group. "He's not a Boy Scout, but he's done a remarkable job uniting his country, and he knows Hezbollah very well. He doesn't like them," Trump said.

This proposal effectively bypasses Israel's decades-long security strategy. If implemented, Syria would be empowered to conduct counter-Hezbollah operations in Lebanon — a role reversal given that the previous Assad regime was Hezbollah's primary state sponsor. The shift reflects Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy: results matter more than traditional alliances.

The timing is critical. The US and Iran are on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland on June 19, aimed at ending the war that began on February 28, 2026. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is a precondition for continued US-Iran talks. Netanyahu's refusal to halt operations against Hezbollah has become a major obstacle, prompting Trump's public frustration.

Trump also criticized Israel's military tactics, stating: "You don't have to knock down an apartment building every time you're looking for someone, because there are a lot of people in that building and not all of them are Hezbollah members." This critique of Israel's collateral damage approach signals potential shifts in US military aid conditions.

Looking ahead, four scenarios are plausible: (1) Syria receives US backing for anti-Hezbollah operations in southern Lebanon, (2) Israel escalates diplomatic and military pressure to maintain its strategic position, (3) Iran exploits the US-Israel rift to strengthen its negotiating position, and (4) Lebanon becomes a new proxy battleground for competing regional interests.