President Donald Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he should begin redeploying Israeli forces from Syria and encouraged similar withdrawals from southern Lebanon during a phone call last week, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

A U.S. official told Axios Trump warned that Israel's military presence in Syria was fueling tensions and risking a broader conflict.

"They don't want you there. You should redeploy," Trump told Netanyahu, according to the U.S. official, who said Trump delivered the same message regarding Lebanon.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed Netanyahu emphasized Israel's security concerns during the conversation, saying: "The Prime Minister, on his part, raised the need for security zones along Israel's borders."

The call came a day after Trump met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey as the administration continues pushing for regional de-escalation. U.S. officials have sought an agreement that would include a gradual Israeli withdrawal from territory occupied in southern Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024, but they believe Netanyahu has resisted those concessions.

The administration is also pressing for implementation of a recently signed Israel-Lebanon framework agreement.

Under the deal, Israel committed to withdraw from two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, though Israeli forces have not yet redeployed.

Israeli officials say they first want to verify the areas are free of Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure, while Lebanese officials argue U.S. forces should make that determination.

The White House declined to comment on the reported conversation and did not dispute the account. A U.S. official told Axios: "President Trump has a strong relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Israel has always been a great ally to the United States.

"There has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than President Trump."

Netanyahu faces elections in about three months, making major territorial concessions politically difficult as members of his governing coalition continue to advocate long-term Israeli control over parts of southern Syria and southern Lebanon.