Netanyahu added that Israel continues its efforts to thwart the terror tunnels on the Israel-Lebanon border. "At this moment, we are employing special means to neutralize these tunnels," Netanyahu said, adding that "we do not intend to reduce our efforts on either of these fronts, we will escalate them, and I know that we do so with the full support and backing of the US"
Israel was aware of Trump's intentions, and has been trying to postpone the decision over the last year. However, it was the timing of the move which caught the political echelon off-guard and came at a moment when Israel is facing the repercussions of the September downing a Russian spy plane in Syria.
Since the incident, Netanyahu has yet to be invited to Moscow, and Israel was hoping this would happen before the US withdrawal.
Netanyahu said he spoke Monday with US President Donald Trump and with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "The US administration has told me that it was the president's intention to pull out their troops from Syria. They clarified that they have other ways to wield their influence in that arena," the premier stated.
Netanyahu added that Israel will closely follow the time table of the American troops' withdrawl and what repercussions this move will have on Jerusalem. "In any case we will make sure to ensure the safety of Israel and protect ourselves from this arena."
Israel's envoy at the UN, Danny Danon, voiced concern over the American move later Wednesday. Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Hezbollah's cross-border tunnels, the Israeli ambassador said that while Israel respected its ally's decision it still had its own concerns about the situation in Syria.
The White House said on Wednesday that the United States has started sending troops back from Syria but that the move does not signify the end of the campaign or a halt to the work of the global coalition in the war-torn country.
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