During a phone call on Thursday, President Trump advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin redeploying Israeli forces from Syria and to consider similar actions in Lebanon, according to officials from the U.S. and Israel. This request comes as Netanyahu faces an election that is critical for his political future.
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) currently maintains a presence in Southern Lebanon and Southern Syria, which the Israeli government argues is necessary for security. However, senior Israeli officials have expressed a desire for continued control over these areas, with some advocating for the establishment of Jewish settlements.
A U.S. official indicated that Trump expressed concerns that the Israeli military's presence in Syria could escalate tensions. Trump reportedly stated, "They don't want you there. You should redeploy," referring to both Syria and Lebanon. In response, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining security zones along Israel's borders.
The call occurred following a meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the NATO summit in Turkey. The Trump administration has been attempting to negotiate a new security agreement between Israel and Syria, but U.S. officials believe Netanyahu is reluctant to make the necessary concessions, which include withdrawing IDF forces from occupied Syrian territory.
Recent protests in southern Syria have highlighted local discontent regarding the IDF's presence. On Tuesday, U.S. mediators met with Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Rome to discuss a framework agreement that requires Israel to withdraw from certain areas in southern Lebanon and allow the Lebanese military to take control. Israeli officials assert that they need to ensure these zones are free of Hezbollah military infrastructure before proceeding with further withdrawals, while the Lebanese government has called for a clear timetable for the process.
The White House did not comment on the specifics of the call but acknowledged Trump's strong relationship with Netanyahu and Israel's status as a key ally of the United States.