Israel, Syria agree to dedicated communication line in US-brokered talks

Under the supervision of the United States, Israel and Syria agreed to establish a joint system for sharing intelligence and coordinating military de-escalation.

The “dedicated communication cell,” as the mechanism was called in Tuesday’s joint statement, will also facilitate “diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities.”

In an effort to reach a security agreement that would stop Israel’s repeated attacks on its neighbor in the northeast, Israel and Syria have been engaged in intermittent talks for the past year.

The most recent statement comes after meetings between Israeli and Syrian officials, including the foreign minister, in Paris on Monday and Tuesday as the US tries to restart talks.

The statement read, “The mechanism will act as a platform to resolve any disputes as quickly as possible and stop misunderstandings.”

Without a clear and binding deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territory seized since the former president’s overthrow in December 2024, a Syrian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed it would be impossible to proceed with “strategic files” with Israel.

The official added that the discussions ended with an Israeli-issued resolution to halt all military action against Syria.

“De-escalation in the military”

Since 1967, Israel has illegally occupied parts of the Syrian Golan Heights, expanding even further into Syrian territory in recent years, including the secluded Jabal al-Sheikh mountain, which borders Syria and Israel.

Israel has also carried out numerous attacks in Damascus, including one against the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s overt support for the new Syrian government, the Israelis have attempted to portray the new Syrian government as an “extremist” force.

Israel is under some pressure from the US to reach a deal with Syria, but it doesn’t seem like a comprehensive agreement is in order.