Tel AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a meeting on Sunday with senior ministers and security officials to discuss a possible agreement between Syria and Israel.
This is happening with the escalation of talk about the imminent agreement between Israel and Syria on the situation in southern Syria
A senior Israeli official said that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will brief Netanyahu and the rest of the meeting participants on the talks with Syria and the concessions that Israel may have to make within the framework of the security agreement.
Israeli sources reported that the United States is exerting pressure to reduce the gaps in the ongoing negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv.
She pointed out that “American pressure has made progress in the negotiations, but the security agreement is still immature”.
Israeli demands?
Informed sources explained that the agreement being negotiated aims to replace the separation of forces and disengagement agreement signed in 1974.
She also indicated that Israel refuses to return to the “disengagement” agreement, and presented a different written proposal through US envoy Tom Brack.
Mount Hermon and air control
Tel Aviv insists on remaining at the Mount Hermon Observatory and its outskirts, expanding the buffer zone and establishing three demilitarized zones.
In addition to establishing security arrangements that reach the outskirts of Damascus, with air control in the south, according to Al Majalla magazine.
The Israeli side is also demanding an air corridor to the Iraqi border to reach Iran.
With his readiness for some withdrawals, in addition to a complete cession of the Golan.
What are Damascus’ demands?
In return, Damascus demanded the activation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and Israel’s withdrawal from the territories it occupied after the fall of the former regime on December 8, 2024.
It also expressed its readiness to sign a new security agreement that takes into account Israel’s security and Syria’s sovereignty.
It also linked normalization and accession to the Abrahamic Agreements to the future of the Golan Heights.
Syria also affirmed its commitment to respecting Syrian airspace, and demanded that international forces “UNDOF” monitor the implementation of the agreement.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official stressed that Israel would not agree to withdraw from the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, according to what was reported by the Israeli Channel 12.
The official said: “We do not really trust this Syrian regime, but the agreement may prevent escalation and contribute to stabilizing the situation on the border”.
Syrian-American meeting
This information came after Dermer met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shibani and US envoy Tom Brack in London last Wednesday.
A senior US official explained that the two sides agreed during this meeting to accelerate negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement in the coming weeks.
It also came with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirming that his country is close to reaching an agreement with the Israeli side on settling the security situation in southern Syria.
It is noteworthy that Syria and Israel have been in a state of actual war since the establishment of Israel in 1948, although there are periods of calm from time to time.
Meanwhile, Israel abandoned the 1974 truce, after penetrating the demilitarized zone for months, since December 8.
Israeli forces also bombed Syrian military assets, and their forces are now 20 kilometers from Damascus.
