Trump asks Israel to withdraw its military forces from Lebanon and Syria, according to a report published on Wednesday, as the United States seeks to ease rising tensions across the Middle East. The reported request came during discussions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Axios, Trump made the request after meeting the Syrian president during his visit to Türkiye. The report said the US president believes Israel’s continued military presence in parts of Syria and Lebanon is contributing to instability and increasing the risk of further regional conflict.
Trump reportedly urged Netanyahu to pull Israeli troops out of both neighboring countries as part of broader efforts to reduce tensions and encourage diplomatic engagement. However, neither the White House nor the Israeli government immediately issued an official statement confirming the reported conversation.
Axios reported that Netanyahu is unlikely to agree to the request because of domestic political considerations ahead of upcoming elections. Analysts believe any significant military withdrawal could become a sensitive issue in Israel’s internal political landscape.
Israeli forces remain deployed in several areas of southern Lebanon despite provisions in the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement that called for a withdrawal. The continued deployment has remained a source of concern for regional governments and international observers.
Israel has also maintained a military presence in parts of southern Syria, arguing that such deployments are necessary for national security and to counter potential cross-border threats. Syrian officials, however, have repeatedly described the Israeli presence as a violation of their sovereignty.
The report has added a new dimension to ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, where multiple conflicts continue to shape regional security. If confirmed, Trump asks Israel to withdraw could signal a renewed US push for de-escalation through diplomacy while balancing long-standing security partnerships in the region.
