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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Netanyahu to discuss Trump's Syria-Hezbollah plan for Lebanon

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss a US plan for Syria to remove Hezbollah from Lebanon.
  • Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa reportedly suggested Syria could handle Hezbollah better than Israel, a proposal Israel views as dangerous.
  • Israel fears a return to Syrian dominance in Lebanon and potential Turkish encroachment if Syria becomes involved.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly set to convene a Security Cabinet meeting to discuss a proposal involving Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon, following comments by US President Donald Trump.

I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they'd do a better job of doing it.

— Ahmad al-SharaaReportedly told Prime Minister Netanyahu during a bilateral meeting, as cited by N12 News.

According to N12 News, Trump suggested that Syria, under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, should take responsibility for Hezbollah. Sharaa himself reportedly told Netanyahu in a June 16 meeting that Syria could manage Hezbollah more effectively than Israel, stating, "I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they'd do a better job of doing it." However, in a separate interview with Dubai-based Lebanese outlet Al Mashhad, Sharaa denied seeking military intervention in Lebanon, emphasizing economic cooperation and support for the Lebanese state.

Despite these denials, Israeli analysts reportedly see indications that Syria is increasing its influence in Lebanon's border areas and key power centers. This raises concerns in Israel about a potential return to pre-2005 Syrian dominance in Lebanon. An Israeli official described Trump's proposal as "like tossing a match into a powder keg," warning of potential escalation and the arrival of groups like al-Qaeda and Turkish forces on Israel's northern border.

We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones.

— Ahmad al-SharaaStated in an interview with Dubai-based Lebanese outlet Al Mashhad, denying military intervention in Lebanon.

Israel's defense establishment is reportedly exploring alternative strategies to address Hezbollah, aiming to avoid what they consider the "worst-case scenario" of Syrian intervention. This scenario is feared to lead to Turkish influence and a shift in regional dynamics favoring both Erdogan and Sharaa in Washington, potentially at Israel's expense. The possibility of handing over recently captured Hezbollah tunnels to the Lebanese Army is being considered as part of these strategic considerations.

This is like tossing a match into a powder keg; we will get al-Qaeda and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan on our northern border.

— Israeli officialDescribing the potential consequences of Syria taking over the Hezbollah issue, as reported by N12 News.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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