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3. Syria and Israel Agree on Permanent Security Arrangements in U.S.-Brokered Talks

Syria and Israel agreed to pursue permanent security and stability arrangements and to establish a joint coordination mechanism under U.S. supervision, according to a joint statement released on Monday by the U.S., Israel, and Syria.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Paris between senior Israeli and Syrian officials, held under American auspices as part of efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce tensions and promote stability in the Middle East.

According to the joint statement, the talks focused on respect for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, Israel’s security, and the prosperity of both countries. The two sides agreed to work toward lasting security arrangements and to create a joint communication and coordination mechanism to facilitate intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial cooperation.

Implementation Details Yet to Be Defined

The mechanism will operate under U.S. supervision and is intended to allow both sides to address disputes promptly and prevent misunderstandings, the statement said. However, it did not specify how the security arrangements would be implemented on the ground. Officials said further negotiations would be required to clarify mechanisms for monitoring compliance, managing de-escalation along the border, and defining the roles of local forces, international supervision, and U.S. oversight.

The officials added that the effectiveness of the agreement would depend on whether coordination translates into tangible measures on the ground, including reduced military activity, clearer rules of engagement, and functioning communication channels between the two sides.

The U.S. welcomed the agreement, describing it as a positive step toward achieving enduring peace in the region and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the implementation of the understandings reached.

Resumption of Political Dialogue

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the resumption of political dialogue between Israel and Syria after several months of suspension, also under U.S. sponsorship.

In a statement, the Israeli government said the discussions were conducted within President Trump’s regional peace initiative and emphasized Israel’s priority of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats along its borders.

Israel also reiterated its commitment to regional stability and security and highlighted the need to develop economic cooperation serving the interests of both countries. The statement added that the two sides agreed to continue dialogue and to support the security of Syria’s Druze minority.

Syrian Position

A Syrian official, speaking to Reuters, said the U.S.-backed initiative included a halt to all Israeli military activity inside Syria and described the talks as a “historic opportunity” to advance negotiations between the two countries.

The official added that Syria was seeking a clearly defined timeline for addressing strategic issues with Israel, including a timetable for Israeli withdrawal from territories seized during previous phases of the conflict.

U.S. Mediation and Negotiation Process

Earlier, Axios reported that Israel and Syria had agreed to accelerate negotiations toward a new security agreement, under U.S. mediation and pressure.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that the two sides reached an understanding during several hours of talks in Paris to increase the frequency of meetings, speed up negotiations, and take confidence-building measures. The official said both countries expressed a desire to reach a security agreement within President Trump’s broader Middle East vision.

The Paris meeting marked the fifth round of U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Syria but the first in two months following a period of stalemate marked by significant disagreements.

The U.S. delegation included Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, along with senior presidential advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who acted as intermediaries between the two sides.

Delegations and Possible Terms

The Israeli delegation included Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter; Netanyahu’s military secretary, Roman Gofman; and acting National Security Adviser Gil Reich.

The Syrian delegation included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and intelligence chief Hussein Salameh.

Officials familiar with the talks said a potential agreement could include the demilitarization of southern Syria in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from areas inside Syrian territory seized after the fall of the Assad regime, with details to be finalized in future negotiation rounds.

However, until now Israel continues to reject any withdrawal, including Jabal al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon), a strategic high-ground position overlooking southern Syria, Lebanon, and northern Israel. Israeli officials have repeatedly described the area as critical to Israel’s early-warning and surveillance capabilities.