Israel’s Syria policy may shift, following reports of Trump asking to withdraw - analysis

Reports suggest a potential shift in Israel's policy regarding its military presence in Syria, following alleged pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. According to an Axios report citing U.S. and Israeli officials, Trump urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call to begin redeploying Israeli forces out of Syria and to do the same in Lebanon. This reported directive from the U.S. president raises significant questions about Israel's strategic posture along its northern border. Israel has maintained a military presence in parts of Syria, particularly in areas related to the buffer zone established after the 1974 ceasefire with Syria. This zone, monitored by the UN, lies within Syrian territory, with the Alpha Line marking the beginning of Israeli control to the west and the Bravo Line signifying the end of the buffer zone to the east. Israel's involvement in Syria intensified during the Syrian civil war. The country reinforced its border fence, provided aid to Syrians, and engaged with rebel groups. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved to secure the buffer zone and Mount Hermon, while also conducting airstrikes across Syria. The initial concern was the potential for weapons falling into the hands of hostile actors, a scenario that has not materialized. Despite Israel's own actions of bombing and raiding Syria, the reported U.S. pressure to withdraw suggests a potential recalibration of regional dynamics. The implications of such a withdrawal for Israel's security interests and its ongoing efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region remain to be seen.

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President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call Thursday that Israel should start redeploying its forces out of Syria and urged him to do the same in Lebanon, according to US and Israeli officials.