US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin withdrawing Israeli forces from southern Syria and southern Lebanon during a phone conversation last week, according to a report by Axios, which cited American and Israeli officials.
According to the report, Trump argued that Israel’s continued military presence in Syrian territory could contribute to further instability in the region. A US official quoted by Axios said the president told Netanyahu that Syria did not want Israeli forces to remain there and urged Israel to redeploy. The official added that Trump conveyed a similar message regarding Israel’s military deployment in southern Lebanon.
The reported conversation took place a day after Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey. According to the report, the meeting formed part of broader US efforts to advance a new security arrangement between Israel and Syria.
The White House declined to comment on the reported contents of the call but did not deny that the conversation took place. In a statement quoted by Axios, a US official said Trump maintains a strong relationship with Netanyahu and remains committed to both Israel’s security and efforts to promote regional peace.
Netanyahu reportedly rejected the proposal, arguing that Israel’s military presence in southern Syria and Lebanon is necessary to protect its borders. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the prime minister had emphasised the need to maintain security zones along Israel’s frontiers.
According to Axios, the Trump administration has spent several months attempting to negotiate a new security framework between Israel and Syria. US officials reportedly favour a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas occupied following the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024. However, the report said Washington believes Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to make the concessions sought by the United States.
The issue has gained additional urgency following recent incidents in southern Syria, where local residents reportedly protested against the presence of Israeli forces and clashes broke out with troops.
Meanwhile, US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon resumed in Rome on Tuesday. American officials met delegations from both countries to discuss the implementation of a framework agreement announced several weeks earlier. Under the proposal, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume responsibility for those areas.
According to the report, Israeli forces have not yet completed that redeployment. Lebanon has called for a clear timetable for further withdrawals, while Israeli officials insist that the areas must first be verified as free of Hezbollah weapons and military infrastructure. Lebanese officials, however, argue that such assessments should be carried out by the US military rather than Israeli forces.
The diplomatic efforts come amid broader regional tensions. The report noted that the United States recently reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports following attacks by Tehran on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding further strain to an already fragile regional security environment.
Trump’s reported intervention also comes at a politically significant moment for Netanyahu, with Israeli elections expected in approximately three months. According to the report, several senior members of the Israeli government support maintaining a long-term military presence in parts of southern Syria and southern Lebanon, arguing that the deployments are necessary to prevent future cross-border attacks similar to those of 7 October 2023.
