According to Axios, Trump informed Netanyahu that the continued presence of the Israeli occupation army inside Syrian territory exacerbates tensions and could lead to further escalation, stressing that the redeployment of forces has become necessary at this stage.

A US official quoted Trump as telling Netanyahu: 'They don't want you there. You need to redeploy,' adding that the same applies to Lebanon.

Increasing American pressure on Netanyahu

These demands come at a time when Netanyahu faces increasing political pressure, three months before elections described as decisive for his political future and personal freedom.

Nevertheless, estimates indicate that the Israeli prime minister is unlikely to take substantial steps to withdraw Israeli forces from the areas it occupies in Syria, or to carry out additional redeployment in Lebanon beyond what was previously agreed.

The Israeli occupation army continues to deploy in large parts of southern Lebanon and southern Syria, where the Israeli government asserts that this presence is necessary to prevent a repeat of an attack similar to that of October 7, while a number of senior government officials call for maintaining permanent control over those areas, and some even demand the establishment of Jewish settlements there.

Syria file on Washington's table

The call between Trump and Netanyahu came one day after the US president met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Turkey.

The Trump administration had for months sought to reach a new security agreement between the Israeli occupation and Syria, before concluding that Netanyahu does not want to make the required concessions, which, according to US officials, include the gradual withdrawal of occupation forces from Syrian territory they have controlled since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

Southern Syria has witnessed several incidents in recent weeks, after Syrian citizens protested against the Israeli military presence, and clashes occurred between them and occupation soldiers.

Lebanon demands a timetable for withdrawal

On the Lebanese file, American mediators held a meeting on Tuesday in the Italian capital Rome with Israeli and Lebanese diplomats to discuss the implementation of the framework agreement signed by the parties several weeks ago.

The agreement stipulates the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from two pilot areas in southern Lebanon, and allows the Lebanese army to deploy there, but the redeployment process has not yet begun.

The Lebanese government demands the start of the withdrawal and the establishment of a clear timetable for the next phases, while Israeli officials say they first want to ensure that the two areas are free of Hezbollah weapons and military infrastructure, while the Lebanese side insists that the assessment should be carried out by American forces.