A recent report reveals that aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged United States President Donald Trump to keep some sanctions on Syria as leverage for future negotiations, but the request was declined. The sanctions, originally imposed by Congress in 2019 to punish Syria's government for human rights abuses, were repealed after the ousting of President Bashar Assad. Advocates for repeal argued that the sanctions hindered Syria's economic recovery and reconstruction efforts. Trump finalized the repeal after Congress included it in the annual defense spending bill, and Syria's foreign ministry expressed gratitude, saying the move would help the country's recovery. Despite heavy pressure from Israeli officials, the Trump administration opted to lift the sanctions, reportedly offering Israel unspecified compensation and expressing hope for future diplomatic progress between Israel and Syria.