Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss developments in Syria and their link to Lebanon, after recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about Syria possibly helping with the Hezbollah issue. According to a Channel 12 report, Israeli officials are taking Trump’s comments seriously and do not view them as a slip of the tongue or an offhand remark.
People familiar with the matter say they believe broader regional moves are taking shape behind the scenes, and these could affect the balance of power in Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israel has identified signs that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is looking for ways to expand Syria’s influence in Lebanon and establish a foothold in parts of the country. Security officials fear a return to the years when Syria held a dominant position in Lebanon, until Syrian forces withdrew in 2005.
The report also says the Syrian regime is working to strengthen its influence along the border areas, which have long been used as weapons-smuggling routes, and is examining ways to deepen ties with power centers inside Lebanon. Last week, Trump told Fox News he was disappointed that Israel had not succeeded in dealing with Hezbollah, and said he was considering letting Syria play a more significant role against the group. He also expressed confidence in al-Sharaa’s ability to confront Hezbollah effectively.
Al-Sharaa has since rejected any notion of a Syrian military clash with Hezbollah. In comments to Gulf media, he said Syria could help search for political solutions, but that this “does not mean war.” He added that any Syrian involvement would be through Lebanese institutions and in coordination with the Lebanese state. Israeli officials, meanwhile, are also weighing other options against Hezbollah, including a reported idea to let the Lebanese army take control of a Hezbollah tunnel complex in Tebnine, in southern Lebanon, to test the army’s ability to act against the group.
