Overview
- President Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that Israel should start pulling forces out of southern Syria and southern Lebanon, a request reported by multiple U.S. and Israeli officials.
- Netanyahu pushed back and stressed the need for security buffer zones along Israel’s borders, saying he will not accept withdrawals that he believes would leave Israel exposed.
- Under a June U.S.-brokered framework with Lebanon Israel agreed to pull back from two designated “pilot zones” but the IDF has not yet redeployed from those areas.
- Reports that Netanyahu would meet President Trump in Washington this week were contradicted by White House officials who say no Oval Office meeting is scheduled, highlighting growing diplomatic friction.
- U.S. mediators have begun technical talks in Rome to implement the Lebanon framework, and the next steps hinge on verification of Hezbollah weapons removal and a timetable acceptable to both Israel and Lebanon.