US President Donald Trump has issued an unusually sharp public rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Washington prepares for high-stakes negotiations with Iran aimed at securing a more durable end to regional conflict.

Speaking in interviews and on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Trump criticised Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon, arguing that the war has gone on “too long” and resulted in excessive civilian casualties.

He said he opposed strikes that destroy residential apartment buildings and questioned Israel’s current approach to the conflict.

“I don’t like seeing buildings blown up with civilians inside,” Trump said, adding that he had urged Israel to consider allowing Syria to take a leading role in confronting Hezbollah instead.

“If Israel can’t do the job without killing everyone else, let Syria do the job,” he said, outlining an unconventional alternative approach.

The comments mark a notable deterioration in tone between the two leaders, who have long publicly described each other as allies.

Netanyahu previously called Trump the “greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House,” but Trump’s latest remarks suggest growing friction as US foreign policy priorities shift toward diplomacy with Iran.

Trump also claimed personal influence over Israel’s existence and said, “without me, there would be no Israel,” while reportedly expressing frustration with Netanyahu’s recent decisions.

In remarks that have drawn attention for their bluntness, he even described the Israeli leader as “crazy.”

Trump said he told Netanyahu that he’s been unhappy with his recent moves.

The public dispute comes as Washington accelerates efforts to finalise a potential agreement with Tehran.