Trump Urges Netanyahu to Withdraw Israeli Forces from Syria and Lebanon

In a phone call last Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin redeploying Israeli forces out of Syria and to do the same in Lebanon. According to American and Israeli sources cited by Axios, Trump warned that Israel's military presence in Syria is increasing tensions and risks escalation, referencing a recent incident where fire was directed at an Israeli outpost in Syria, prompting a retaliatory strike by the Israeli army.

Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, "They do not want you there. You need to redeploy your forces," emphasizing that this advice also applies to Lebanon. The call came a day after Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey. The Trump administration had sought for months to negotiate a new security agreement between Israel and Syria, aiming for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from areas controlled since the collapse of Assad's regime in December 2024. However, these efforts stalled as Netanyahu was unwilling to make the concessions requested by Washington.

Negotiations, including secret talks reportedly mediated by the United Arab Emirates, failed to produce a new security arrangement. Syria demands a full Israeli withdrawal to the border line, while Israel insists on the demilitarization of southern Syria and protection for the Druze minority in As-Suwayda, conditions viewed by Damascus as interference. Israel also seeks assurances to prevent Turkish influence in Syria. Despite ongoing talks, no agreement has been reached.

Regarding Lebanon, Trump criticized Netanyahu's handling of Hezbollah and suggested that Syrian President al-Sharaa could be more effective in managing the Lebanese militant group. Trump stated, "He has done an amazing job uniting the country and is very tough on Hezbollah. He does not like them. Israel has been fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people have died." He proposed Israel allow Syria to address Hezbollah, believing Syria could do it better.

Recently, Israel and Lebanon, with U.S. mediation, agreed on a framework for Israel to withdraw from two pilot zones to be handed over to the Lebanese army. Further talks on implementing this agreement are scheduled in Rome. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said both Israel and Lebanon want Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon for security and sovereignty reasons. A Lebanese diplomatic source told Reuters that the Lebanese army is ready to gradually take control of areas vacated by Israeli forces.