Trump tells Netanyahu to withdraw forces from Syria and Lebanon, report says

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin redeploying Israeli forces out of Syria and Lebanon. The directive was conveyed during a phone call last Thursday, according to U.S. and Israeli officials speaking to Axios.

Trump expressed concerns that Israel's military presence in Syrian territory is a source of tension and could potentially escalate the conflict. "They don't want you there. You should redeploy," Trump was quoted as telling Netanyahu, adding that the same sentiment applied to Lebanon. The U.S. official noted that the Israeli prime minister raised the need for security zones along Israel's borders in response.

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They don't want you there. You should redeploy.

The conversation took place a day after Trump met with Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Trump administration had been working for months to broker a new security agreement between Israel and Syria, reportedly seeking concessions from Israel, including a gradual withdrawal from occupied Syrian territory. However, U.S. officials suggest Netanyahu was unwilling to make the desired concessions.

Recent weeks have seen protests and clashes between Syrian citizens and the Israeli army in southern Syria. Meanwhile, U.S. mediators met with Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Rome to discuss the implementation of a framework agreement. This agreement includes Israel's commitment to withdraw from two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese military to deploy there. However, the Israeli army has yet to redeploy from these areas, and the Lebanese government is seeking a clear timetable for further withdrawals.

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The Prime Minister, for his part, raised the need for security zones along Israel's borders.