Khaberni - Axios conveyed from an Israeli official and another informed source that high-ranking Syrian and Israeli officials will hold a meeting tomorrow, Monday, in the French capital, Paris to resume negotiations on reaching a new security agreement between the two sides.
According to the website, this round comes within the framework of pressures exerted by the administration of the American President Donald Trump on both Israel and Syria, aiming to reach an understanding that would stabilize the security situation on their borders, representing a possible first step towards future diplomatic normalization.
The efforts are led by Tom Barrack, the American special envoy to Syria, who will mediate this new round of talks, expected to last two days. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Sheibani and a new Israeli negotiating team are scheduled to participate.
This round is the fifth between the two sides but the first in about two months, after the previous negotiations were halted due to widening gaps between the parties, in addition to the resignation of the former chief Israeli negotiator Ron Dermer.
The talks aim to reach a security agreement that includes disarmament in southern Syria, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from areas it controlled following the collapse of the regime of the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024.
American Intervention
Axios clarified that the resumption of negotiations came at the direct request of Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their last meeting at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where the American President emphasized the necessity of continuing the negotiations to reach an agreement soon.
Axios quoted an Israeli official stating that Netanyahu agreed to resume negotiations, emphasizing that any agreement must consider the Israeli "red lines".
Trump said after the meeting: "We have an understanding about Syria. I am confident that Israel and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharif will reach an agreement, and I will work to make it happen.".
From his side, Netanyahu affirmed that it is in Israel's interest to establish secure and stable borders with Syria and to ensure the protection of the Druze minority inside Syrian territories.
Israeli Negotiating Team
Before the Paris meeting, Netanyahu appointed a new negotiating team led by the Israeli Ambassador to Washington, Yehiel Leiter, who is close to the prime minister.
The participation of his military advisor, General Roman Gofman, who is nominated to head the Mossad, along with the acting National Security Advisor Gil Reich, is expected.
On their part, the Israeli embassy in Washington officially declined to comment on the details of the meeting.
Since December 8, 2024, Israel has intensified its military operations inside Syrian territories, where it controlled the buffer zone, expanded its influence on Mount Hermon's peak, and broadened its military movements in Quneitra and the countryside of Damascus.
