According to Turkish news outlet T24, a five-hour meeting in London last week between Israeli and Syrian delegations, mediated by the United States, has resulted in a preliminary agreement, with only final touches remaining before the official signing. The report indicates that U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Representative for Syria, Thomas Barrack, is expected to host the signing ceremony, which could take place as early as next week in Washington.
The agreement is expected to be formalized during a meeting between Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where both leaders are scheduled to deliver speeches. Sources suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump may also attend the signing ceremony, underlining the significance of this diplomatic development.
Under the proposed agreement, Israel would expand its control in the buffer zone along the Syrian border by an additional two kilometers and establish a demilitarized and no-fly zone in southern Syria. The deal would also recognize Israeli sovereignty over strategically important locations, including the summit of Mount Hermon and the Tel al-Hara area in the Daraa countryside, effectively guaranteeing Israeli control over southern Syria up to the capital Damascus.
The Beirut-based Al Akhbar newspaper reports that Syria's transitional government has accepted the Israeli plan due to the rapid pace of developments and the approaching signing date. This acceptance marks a significant shift in Syrian policy and could reshape the regional balance of power in the Middle East.
Additional provisions are being added to the agreement at Netanyahu's request, including protection clauses for the Druze population in Suwayda province, who have expressed desires for autonomy from the Damascus government. This inclusion demonstrates Israel's interest in protecting minority communities in the region while expanding its strategic influence.
Israeli media sources describe the preparations as progressing at an "unprecedented pace," characterizing the upcoming Netanyahu-Sharaa meeting as "historic." The rapid advancement of these negotiations suggests both parties are eager to formalize the arrangement, possibly influenced by broader regional dynamics and international pressure.
The agreement, if signed, would represent one of the most significant diplomatic developments between Israel and Syria in decades, potentially ending years of a technical state of war between the two nations. However, the terms heavily favor Israeli security interests, granting it substantial control over Syrian territory and airspace.
Critics may view the agreement as a capitulation by Syria's transitional government, while supporters might argue it represents a pragmatic approach to regional stability. The international community, particularly Arab states and regional powers, will closely watch how this agreement affects the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape and whether it sets a precedent for future Israeli-Arab negotiations.