U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that Israel should allow Syria to take responsibility for dealing with Hezbollah [1].
The proposal marks a notable shift in diplomatic rhetoric regarding the Levant, as it questions the efficacy of Israeli military operations and suggests a regional alternative for managing the militant group.
Speaking during a press briefing in France following a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Trump said, "I suggest that Israel let Syria handle the matter of Hezbollah" [1]. He said Syria could do a better job than Israel in confronting the organization [2].
Trump also criticized the tactical approach used by the Israeli military. He specifically pointed to the destruction of civilian infrastructure during operations targeting Hezbollah members [1].
"Do not destroy a residential building every time we search for someone from Hezbollah," Trump said [1].
The comments come amid ongoing volatility in the region, where the relationship between Israel, Syria, and Hezbollah remains a primary driver of geopolitical tension. By suggesting that Syria take a leading role in managing the group, the president is proposing a departure from the current security paradigm, one that emphasizes Israeli direct intervention over Syrian mediation or control.
Trump did not provide specific details on how this transition of responsibility would be implemented or what guarantees would be required from the Syrian government to ensure the group's neutralization [1, 2].
“"I suggest that Israel let Syria handle the matter of Hezbollah"”
This suggestion indicates a potential pivot in US foreign policy toward the Levant, prioritizing a Syrian-led stability mechanism over Israeli military strikes. By criticizing the destruction of residential buildings, Trump is signaling a desire for a reduction in urban collateral damage, while his willingness to empower Syria suggests a transactional approach to regional security that may challenge traditional Israeli defense doctrines.
