U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli forces from Syria and Lebanon, the U.S. online media outlet Axios reported on July 14 (local time).

According to U.S. and Israeli officials, President Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu during a phone call on July 9 that the presence of Israeli troops in Syria could cause regional tensions, stating, "They don't want you there. You need to redeploy your troops."

President Trump reportedly demanded that Israel take the same action in Lebanon as well.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently occupy significant portions of southern Syria and southern Lebanon, citing the need for national defense.

Senior Israeli government officials want indefinite control over these regions, and some have even advocated for the construction of Jewish settlements there.

Because of this, Axios reported that President Trump's demand will likely place an even greater burden on Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is facing internal and external pressure ahead of a major election.

The Israeli general election on October 27 is expected to be a critical turning point that will determine the political fate of Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose cumulative time in office has reached 19 years.

Given these circumstances, Axios predicted that it is unlikely Prime Minister Netanyahu will take significant measures, such as withdrawing troops from the Syrian territory currently occupied by the Israeli military or moving forces out of Lebanon.

The Trump administration has been making efforts to mediate a new security agreement between Israel and Syria, but Axios reported that the administration believes Prime Minister Netanyahu is negative toward making concessions, such as a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syria.

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents in southern Syria where local residents protested against the presence of the Israeli military and clashed with Israeli soldiers.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)