Trump Urges Netanyahu to Withdraw Israeli Forces from Lebanon and Syria

During a phone call last Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin redeploying Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) out of Syria and to take similar steps in Lebanon. According to senior American and Israeli officials speaking to Channel 12 News, Trump expressed growing pressure from the White House for Israel to reduce its military presence in these regions, which currently include extensive IDF deployments in southern Lebanon and southern Syria.

Netanyahu, facing critical elections in three months, is reportedly unlikely to make significant moves to withdraw Israeli troops from their current positions or to expand redeployment in Lebanon beyond previously agreed terms. The Israeli government maintains that the IDF’s presence in these areas is essential to prevent further attacks like the October 7 assault. Some Israeli officials advocate for continued or even expanded control, including support for establishing settlements.

A senior American official quoted Trump telling Netanyahu, "Bibi, they don’t want you there. You need to redeploy your forces," a message extended to both Syria and Lebanon. Netanyahu’s office responded that the prime minister emphasized Israel’s need to maintain security zones in both countries and accused media reports of distorting Trump’s remarks. The White House declined to comment but did not deny the details.

The call came a day after Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. The Trump administration had sought for months to broker a new security agreement between Israel and Syria but concluded Netanyahu was unwilling to make necessary concessions, particularly a phased withdrawal from Syrian territories captured after Assad’s regime collapse in December 2024.

Recent weeks have seen protests and clashes in southern Syria against the IDF presence. Meanwhile, American mediators met with Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Rome to discuss implementing a framework agreement signed weeks earlier. Under this deal, Israel committed to withdrawing from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon to allow Lebanese army deployment. However, the IDF has yet to complete redeployment, citing the need to ensure these areas are free of Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure. Lebanon insists the U.S. military should verify these conditions and demands a clear timeline for further withdrawals.