Trump says Netanyahu could use 'softer touch' in Lebanon

US President Donald Trump suggested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopt a softer approach in Lebanon, amid ongoing tensions over Iran-backed Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on ‌Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use a "softer touch" in Lebanon in comments made at the ‌close of a G7 summit in France. Netanyahu ‌and Trump have repeatedly clashed over Israel's refusal to constrain its pursuit of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a ⁠cessation ​of hostilities ⁠is a key Iranian demand. "Netanyahu happens to be a good ⁠man, gets a little excited sometimes," Trump told reporters ​on Wednesday. "We have a little dispute over Lebanon. ⁠I say you can do a little softer touch, ⁠Bibi. ​You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it ⁠that's from Hezbollah." Trump added that he agreed with the description ⁠of ⁠Israel as being "the very small partner" of the United States.