Israel has reaffirmed that it will maintain military forces in security zones inside Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip, despite reports that US President Donald Trump urged Israeli leaders to reduce their military presence in the region.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made the position clear during an overnight phone call with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a statement released by his office on Thursday.
Katz said Israel considers its military deployments essential for protecting the country’s borders and nearby communities from ongoing security threats.
“Israel is determined to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon to protect its borders and the communities near them from threats posed by jihadist forces,” the statement said.
The minister also stressed that Israel intends to safeguard its own security without relying on American military intervention.
“We have never asked the United States to act in our place along our borders,” Katz said.
Reports of US Pressure
Katz’s remarks come after reports that President Donald Trump privately urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli forces from parts of Syria and Lebanon.
According to Axios, Trump warned that Israel’s continued military presence in Syria was increasing regional tensions.
“They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, citing a US official familiar with the conversation.
Neither the White House nor the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has publicly commented on the reported exchange.
Israeli Presence in Syria
Israel expanded its military presence along the Syrian border after the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Following the collapse of Assad’s government, Israeli troops entered a United Nations-monitored buffer zone on the Golan Heights that had long separated Israeli and Syrian forces.
Israeli officials have repeatedly argued that the deployment is necessary to prevent militant groups from establishing positions near the border during Syria’s political transition.
The latest comments from Katz highlight Israel’s intention to maintain its security strategy despite growing international scrutiny and ongoing diplomatic discussions with Washington.
