Overview
- President Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that Israel should begin pulling forces out of southern Syria and southern Lebanon, saying local populations do not want Israeli troops there.
- Netanyahu responded by stressing the need for security zones along Israel’s borders and has resisted large withdrawals because leaders say the deployments help prevent attacks like October 7.
- U.S. mediators met with Israeli and Lebanese officials in Rome to try to move a framework into action, including Israel’s pledge to withdraw from two designated “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, but the IDF has not redeployed from those areas.
- The main sticking point is verification: Israeli officials insist the zones be checked and cleared of Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure before troops leave, while Lebanese officials want U.S. forces to perform or certify that verification.
- With Israeli national elections about three months away and Netanyahu planning a Washington visit, the dispute over timing, security guarantees, and who verifies compliance will determine whether the paper agreement becomes an on-the-ground withdrawal.