The new leadership in Damascus is establishing a direction that starkly contrasts with the policies of the previous regime, diligently working to reposition Syria in the international arena, moving away from what has been termed the “resistance axis,” which has faced significant setbacks during the ongoing conflict that escalated following the October 7 attack in Gaza.
According to Reuters yesterday, five sources indicated that Syria and Israel are engaged in direct communication, having held face-to-face meetings in recent weeks aimed at alleviating tensions and preventing conflict in the border region. However, the sources noted that these direct encounters may lead to broader agreements between the two parties.
These communications represent a major shift in relations between the two sides at a time when the United States is encouraging the new leaders in Damascus to form connections with Israel, while Israel has moderated its military actions in Syria.
Last Saturday, Thomas Barak, the U.S. special envoy to Syria during the Trump administration, met with Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Shara and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani in Istanbul. Barak commended the “serious steps” taken by al-Shara regarding relations with Israel.
Post-Assad Era
Yesterday, Reuters cited two Syrian sources, as well as other Western and regional sources, stating that these contacts are a continuation of indirect talks that began after the “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham” group ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December. Earlier details regarding direct meetings and their content had not been disclosed. According to the sources, “the Syrian and Israeli parties have held at least three rounds of direct talks, including one in the border area.”
On the Syrian side, the communications were led by senior security official Ahmad al-Dalati, who was appointed as governor of Quneitra, adjacent to the Golan Heights, after Assad’s ouster in 1973.
Reuters did not disclose the identities of the Israeli participants; however, two sources mentioned that they were security officials.
A Rare Development
Earlier this month, CNN reported from an Israeli source that Israel and the new Syrian regime recently conducted direct discussions, marking a rare development that suggests shifts in the long-hostile relationship between the two nations. The discussions reportedly took place in Azerbaijan, with the head of operations for the Israeli army, Oded Basu, meeting Syrian representatives in the presence of Turkish officials.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara stated earlier this month that his government is engaging in indirect negotiations with Israel to halt its attacks on Syrian territory.
The announcement of the initial direct communication between Syria and Israel comes amidst significant signals from Syria, including the return of the Israeli spy Eli Cohen’s archives and a clear declaration of readiness for dialogue and establishing normalized relations with Israel. Observers see these developments as indicative of reduced Iranian influence in Syria and a move by Damascus’s new leaders towards improving relations with the West.