Israel to Finalize Historic Syria Peace Deal in Washington, Sources Say
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for a landmark visit to Washington in the coming weeks to finalize a historic peace agreement with Syria's new government, according to multiple Israeli media reports. The deal is said to be the centerpiece of a far-reaching U.S.-backed plan to reshape the region, expanding the Abraham Accords to include normalization of relations between Israel and key Muslim-majority nations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The stunning diplomatic developments follow a period of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations. According to a detailed report by the Rai al-Youm, citing an informed Syrian source via Israel's i24NEWS, Israel and Syria are on track to sign a full peace treaty before the end of 2025. The proposed agreement would see a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all Syrian territories it occupied after advancing into the 1974 buffer zone on December 8, 2024. The plan reportedly designates the occupied Golan Heights as a demilitarized "Peace Park." It establishes security coordination where lightly armed forces from Syria's new regime would guard the border to prevent threats against Israel. Neither Jerusalem nor Damascus has issued an official comment on the report.
This diplomatic flurry is reportedly linked to a broader strategic vision formulated by U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom reported on a recent four-way phone call between Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu, and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. The call, which took place after a reported U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, found the leaders "euphoric" and determined to advance a new regional architecture.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the ambitious plan hinges on several interconnected steps. The war in Gaza would end within weeks, with an Arab multinational force—including Egypt and the UAE—assuming governance of the Strip in place of Hamas. The remaining Hamas leadership would be exiled, and all hostages would be released. The plan also includes a provision for several countries to absorb Gazan residents wishing to emigrate.
In exchange for this sweeping normalization with the Arab and Muslim world, Israel would reportedly express a willingness to pursue a future two-state solution contingent on significant reforms within the Palestinian Authority. Simultaneously, the United States would recognize Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank. The entire vision, described as a "New Middle East," is being fast-tracked, with Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the White House seen as the critical next step in turning these ambitious blueprints into reality.
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