Benjamin Netanyahu has informed his cabinet that Washington is pressing for Israeli military withdrawals from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, but the Israeli prime minister intends to reject the demands outright, Israel’s Channel 13 reports, setting the stage for a tense White House meeting with Donald Trump.
“I will tell them no”
According to a source cited by Channel 13, the US administration has made clear it seeks “a series of pullbacks” by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on all three fronts. The report did not specify whether Washington is demanding a full or partial withdrawal of troops. Netanyahu, the broadcaster said, has signalled his determination to push back against American pressure, telling ministers: “I will tell them no.”
The disclosure comes as Netanyahu prepares to fly to Washington on Monday for his first face-to-face meeting with President Trump since the war with Iran erupted on February 28 2026. Speaking at the weekly cabinet session on July 26, the prime minister said he would discuss “all items on the agenda, including the situation in Iran.”
The talks take place against a backdrop of fragile calm: hostilities are paused while the White House attempts to revive diplomatic channels with Tehran. The two leaders are expected to weigh strategy on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, the terms of a possible ceasefire, and contingency planning should attacks resume.
Gaza and the stabilisation force
A second central issue will be the Gaza Strip. On the eve of the trip, Israel’s security cabinet approved the entry of an International Stabilisation Force into areas of the enclave not controlled by the IDF. The initial contingent is expected to number around 200 troops, drawn in part from Uganda and Morocco, with each contributing nation requiring separate Israeli approval. No deployment timeline has been set.
Israeli media have listed Lebanon, Syria, ties with Turkey, the situation in the West Bank, and the possible expansion of the Abraham Accords as additional topics likely to feature in the discussions. The prime minister’s office has officially confirmed only that the meeting will cover the wider regional agenda and Iran.
Farewell to a “great friend”
After the White House talks, Netanyahu will attend the funeral of Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who he described as one of Israel’s greatest friends. The service will take place on July 28 at Washington National Cathedral. Closed to the general public, the ceremony will be broadcast live. Netanyahu is expected to depart Washington on Wednesday, though his exact return time to Israel has not been announced.
