Netanyahu to Hold Urgent Discussion as Israel Fears Syrian Move in Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a discussion on Wednesday focused on Syria and its connection to Lebanon, after recent remarks by President Donald Trump that he was “close” to leaving the Hezbollah issue to the Syrian regime of Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israeli officials are alarmed and do not view Trump’s comments as a slip of the tongue, but as something that may be taking shape behind the scenes.

According to reporting published overnight, Israel has identified indications in recent weeks that the Syrian president is looking for a way to even take control of areas inside Lebanon. The concern in Jerusalem is that Syria could try to regain the dominant role it once had in Lebanon for decades, a position it held until 2005.

The news comes amid other regional developments. Oman said it had coordinated with the International Maritime Organization to establish a temporary sea lane for vessels wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with the route meant to preserve freedom of navigation under international law. In the United States, the Senate approved a nonbinding concurrent resolution calling on Trump to end the war in Iran and withdraw U.S. forces from the Middle East.

Elsewhere, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Polish President Karol Nawrocki and said Poland, as one of the countries that recognize Palestine, is expected to continue supporting a two-state solution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also announced eased entry rules for Iran’s World Cup team, allowing it to enter the country two days before its next match instead of on the same day.