Netanyahu held a phone call with Trump shortly after warning about Syria

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump on Monday, the prime minister's office announced, shortly after Trump warned Israel not to destabilize Syria, Al Arabiya reported.

Netanyahu's office stated that they discussed the disarmament of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. They also discussed establishing Israel's ties with countries that do not recognize it.

Trump invited Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House in the "near future," the prime minister's office announced, without specifying a date.

Earlier on Monday, Trump warned Israel not to destabilize Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces in the south of the country.

"It is very important that Israel maintains a strong and genuine dialogue with Syria and that nothing happens that will hinder Syria's evolution into a prosperous state," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

Trump has advocated for a security pact between Israel and Syria since Syrian opposition forces overthrew long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago.

Tensions have risen due to hundreds of Israeli strikes in Syria. In the deadliest operation to date, Israeli forces killed thirteen people in southern Syria on Friday, claiming to have targeted a militant group.

Trump said he was "very pleased" with Syria's performance under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who had a historic visit to the White House in November.

The US President said that al-Sharaa "is working diligently to ensure that good things happen and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship."
Trump added that the United States is "doing everything in its power to ensure that the Syrian government continues to do what was intended" for the reconstruction of the war-torn country.