The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to arrange a groundbreaking meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as the two nations move closer to signing a security agreement that would reaffirm their post-1973 accord.
According to reporting by Ben Caspit in Al-Monitor, the emerging deal represents a significant diplomatic development for the region, with Syrian President Sharaa indicating Wednesday that ongoing negotiations with Israel could yield results "in the coming days." While the agreement falls short of complete peace or normalization, it marks a dramatic shift in relations between the two longtime adversaries.
The Trump administration, led by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, has been instrumental in mediating between Jerusalem and Damascus. For President Trump, the potential agreement offers a much-needed foreign policy victory amid stalled efforts to end conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Israeli officials view the Syrian track as strategically advantageous, particularly as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure over the prolonged Gaza offensive. "Netanyahu knows that he is pushing the limits with his major offensive in Gaza and testing Trump's patience every day," a senior Israeli diplomatic source revealed. The source suggested that progress with Syria could buy Israel "another period of freedom of action in Gaza."
The proposed agreement would involve a gradual Israeli withdrawal from positions occupied since Assad's fall last December, though the status of Mount Hermon remains under negotiation. Officials are exploring the possibility of deploying US forces to replace Israeli troops in strategic locations. In exchange, Syria would commit to preventing hostile activities against Israel from its territory, effectively severing the Iranian weapons corridor to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
For Syria's new leadership, the deal offers crucial international legitimacy and could accelerate reconstruction efforts after 15 years of devastating civil war. The agreement would also provide safeguards for Syria's minorities, particularly the Druze community, who maintain close ties with Israel.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has reportedly met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at least three times in recent weeks, marking unprecedented direct engagement between the two governments. These meetings are particularly notable given the Islamist orientation of Damascus's new administration and some members' past affiliations with extremist groups.
However, skepticism persists within Israel's security establishment about trusting leaders with previous ties to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. "There are clear signs that the Syrian army is now evacuating its remaining heavy weapons from the south," noted a former senior Israeli military official, while cautioning that "many tests and obstacles lie ahead."
The timing appears politically expedient for Netanyahu, whose extremist coalition partners oppose ending the Gaza war but may accept a Syrian agreement that postpones discussions about the Golan Heights' future. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have recently made controversial statements about Israeli expansion into Gaza, underscoring the domestic political constraints Netanyahu faces.
As preparations for the potential UN meeting continue, both sides appear motivated by converging interests rarely seen in the Israeli-Arab conflict. However, successful implementation will require navigating significant trust deficits and competing regional dynamics.