Trump asks Netanyahu to move Israeli forces out of Syria, Lebanon
By OUR REPORTER
According to a U.S. official, Trump warned Netanyahu that the continued presence of Israeli troops inside Syrian territory was creating unnecessary tensions and could trigger further escalation. “They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” Trump reportedly told the Israeli leader, adding that similar concerns applied to Israel’s military presence in Lebanon.
United States President Donald Trump has reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin moving Israeli forces out of southern Syria and to pursue further withdrawals from southern Lebanon, according to U.S. and Israeli officials familiar with a recent phone conversation between the two leaders.
The request, first reported by Axios, comes amid growing U.S. efforts to reduce regional tensions and advance security arrangements involving Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
According to a U.S. official, Trump warned Netanyahu that the continued presence of Israeli troops inside Syrian territory was creating unnecessary tensions and could trigger further escalation.
“They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” Trump reportedly told the Israeli leader, adding that similar concerns applied to Israel’s military presence in Lebanon.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that security issues along Israel’s borders were discussed during the conversation, saying Netanyahu stressed the importance of maintaining security zones to protect Israeli communities.
The development follows Trump’s recent meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey, where regional security featured prominently in discussions.
U.S. officials said the Trump administration has spent months trying to broker a broader security understanding between Israel and Syria, including proposals for Israel to gradually withdraw troops from Syrian territory captured following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024.
However, officials said progress has been slow, with Netanyahu’s government reluctant to make the concessions sought by Washington.
In southern Syria, recent weeks have witnessed protests by local residents against the Israeli military presence, with several demonstrations reportedly escalating into confrontations between civilians and Israeli soldiers.
The issue of southern Lebanon also remains unresolved despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
U.S. mediators recently met Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Rome to discuss implementing a framework agreement reached several weeks ago. Under the arrangement, Israel committed to withdraw its forces from two designated “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon to allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to take control.
Although the agreement has been reached, Israeli forces have yet to leave the areas. Lebanese authorities are demanding a clear timetable for further withdrawals, while Israeli officials insist that the military must first verify that the zones are free of Hezbollah weapons and military infrastructure.
Lebanese officials, however, argue that such assessments should be conducted by U.S. monitors rather than Israel.
The White House declined to comment directly on the reported conversation but did not dispute the account.
A U.S. official reiterated that President Trump maintains a strong relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu, describing Israel as a key American ally while emphasizing Trump’s commitment to promoting peace and regional stability.
The reported request adds fresh diplomatic pressure on Netanyahu at a politically sensitive period, with elections approaching and debates continuing within Israel over the future of territories occupied in Syria and Lebanon. According to reports, some members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition favour maintaining a long-term Israeli presence in both areas, arguing that it is necessary to prevent future cross-border attacks.
