Trump Reportedly Asked Netanyahu to Withdraw Forces from Syria, Lebanon

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull Israeli troops out of Syria and Lebanon, according to a report citing U.S. government officials.

During a call on January 9, Trump expressed concerns that Israel's military presence in Syrian territory could lead to increased tensions and a deterioration of the situation. He is quoted as telling Netanyahu, "They (Syrians) don't want you there. You have to redeploy." The report further indicates that Trump made a similar demand regarding Lebanon.

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They (Syrians) don't want you there. You have to redeploy.

In response, the Prime Minister's office stated that Netanyahu had raised the necessity of establishing security zones along Israel's borders. This exchange occurred shortly after Trump's meeting with the interim president of Syria on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey. The report suggests that Trump's demands place additional pressure on Netanyahu, who faces a crucial general election on October 27, with his political future hanging in the balance after nearly 19 years in office. Given the upcoming election and the political pressures, the report anticipates that Netanyahu is unlikely to take significant actions such as withdrawing forces from occupied Syrian territory or repositioning troops in Lebanon.

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The Prime Minister raised the need to establish security zones along Israel's borders.