Israel-Syria talks scheduled in Paris under US mediation: Axios

Senior Syrian and Israeli officials are set to meet today in Paris to resume negotiations on a new security agreement, according to an Israeli official and another source familiar with the matter, Axios reports.

Such an event underlines the Trump administration’s pressure on Israel and Syria to reach a deal that would stabilize the situation along their border and could lay the groundwork for future diplomatic normalization.

The effort is being led by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, who will mediate this new round of talks.

The discussions are expected to last two days, with Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani facing a new Israeli negotiating team.

This will be the fifth round of talks, but also the first in nearly two months, the U.S. media outlet notes.

The talks had stalled due to significant differences between the two sides, especially regarding the Golan Heights, and because of the resignation of Israel’s chief negotiator, Ron Dermer.

The aim is to reach a security pact providing for the demilitarization of southern Syria and an Israeli withdrawal from Syrian areas occupied after the collapse of the Assad regime.

Behind the scenes, the resumption of discussions is reportedly the direct result of Trump's request to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting last Monday at Mar-a-Lago, according to Axios, citing an informed source.

“I’m sure that Israel and [Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa] will get along. I will try and make it so that they do get along,” Trump said after he met with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu, for his part, stated that it is in Israel’s interest to have a peaceful border with Syria and to protect the Druze minority in that country.

Ahead of the Paris meeting, the Israeli prime minister appointed a new negotiating team led by Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to Washington and a close ally of the prime minister.

General Roman Gofman, Netanyahu’s military adviser and a leading candidate to head the Mossad, as well as Gill Reich, acting national security adviser, are also expected to take part in the meeting.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment.

Israeli troop movements have recently intensified in southern Syria, which is increasingly resembling a powder keg.

Violations are recorded daily, and fears are mounting that Israel might expand its military operations or launch incursions to seize larger areas.