Israel and the United States have reached new understandings that would allow Israel to continue operating in Syria against what it calls security threats, while keeping open a negotiating track with Damascus toward a possible security arrangement, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.
The development follows a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack on Monday, Dec. 15, as reported by Enab Baldi. The report said the talks focused on defining “red lines” for Israeli activity in Syria and clarifying what each side expects from the other.
A source cited by KAN said both sides now “understand what is required,” suggesting the discussions aimed to reduce friction between Israeli strikes or raids and broader US diplomatic efforts in the country. KAN also reported that Barrack carried direct messages from US President Donald Trump to Netanyahu, with Syria at the top of the agenda.
According to the broadcaster, the Trump administration views Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as a partner trying to stabilize the country and steer it toward economic and political progress. On that basis, Washington is seeking to avoid moves it believes could endanger the continuation of al-Sharaa’s rule.
Barrack has publicly voiced confidence that Syrians and Israelis can reach an agreement, beginning with security and border arrangements and potentially advancing toward normalization. In comments to *The National* published on Dec. 5, he said Syrians understand that “part of the solution” lies in an agreement with Israel, even as “enemy fighters” attempt to obstruct progress. He also said Damascus is working hard toward peace.
The envoy added that Syria’s government has been “fully cooperative” with Washington on matters related to Israel and is doing what the US administration is asking. At the same time, Barrack suggested Israel’s distrust of the US administration has made it more cautious, slowing momentum on the file.
Trump, for his part, has urged Israel to maintain what he called a “strong and honest dialogue” with Syria, warning against steps that could “disrupt Syria’s development into a prosperous state.” He has also praised al-Sharaa for “working hard” to produce “positive results” and for laying the groundwork for what Trump described as a “long and prosperous relationship” between Syria and Israel.
In a Truth Social post on Dec. 1, Trump said the United States was “doing everything it can” to support Syria’s efforts to become a “truly prosperous state,” and argued that his decision to end “strong and harsh sanctions” significantly helped the Syrian government—moves he said were welcomed by Syria’s leadership and people.
However, the diplomatic track has faced headwinds. A US official told Israel’s Channel 12 that Washington believes Israeli behavior in Syria is harming American efforts to advance a security agreement between the two countries.
The push for an understanding accelerated after Trump met al-Sharaa at the White House on Nov. 10. Reuters quoted Trump afterward as saying the US would do everything possible “to make Syria succeed,” and that Washington was working with Israel to reach an understanding with Syria—framing Syria as a “very important” part of a Middle East he said was “enjoying peace.”