WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack delivered a blunt message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging restraint in Lebanon amid escalating tensions.

“I told Netanyahu to give Lebanon a break. You can’t be so brutal toward everyone, going anywhere and doing whatever you want. It will eventually backfire,” Barrack said in an interview on the Mario Nawfal Podcast.

His comments come as Israel faces growing criticism over its military operations in Lebanon, where strikes against Hezbollah have raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

Barrack’s remarks underscore Washington’s concern that unrestrained military actions could destabilize the region further and damage Israel’s international standing. While reaffirming U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself, he warned that unchecked offensives risk undermining long-term security goals.

The statement adds to a series of diplomatic signals from U.S. officials calling for de-escalation and measured responses in the Middle East.