Senior Israeli and Syrian officials resumed high-level security talks in Paris on Monday, marking the fifth round of negotiations between the two countries. The discussions, mediated by the United States, come after a pause of nearly two months. Both sides are focused on stabilising the shared border and shaping a new security arrangement after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024. While Washington sees the meetings as a possible step towards wider diplomatic engagement, officials on all sides have played down expectations of any early breakthrough.
The talks restarted after direct pressure from US President Donald Trump. In a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago residence a few days ago, Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume negotiations without delay. Netanyahu agreed and appointed a new negotiating team, while making clear that any agreement must respect Israel’s security red lines. The discussions are being moderated by US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, with the meetings scheduled over two days.
Israel’s delegation is headed by its ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, who is considered a close ally of Netanyahu. He is joined by Major General Roman Gofman, the prime minister’s military secretary, and Gil Reich, the acting head of Israel’s National Security Council. This team replaces the previous lead negotiator, Ron Dermer, who stepped down before this round of talks. Syria has sent Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and General Intelligence Director Hussein Salameh, signalling that Damascus also views the talks as serious, even if expectations remain low.
The negotiations are taking place against a dramatically changed regional background. Since the Assad government collapsed, Israel has expanded its military presence in and beyond the United Nations-monitored buffer zone along the Golan Heights. Israeli officials say the move is necessary to prevent armed groups from using the area to launch attacks. Syrian officials argue that the deployments amount to an illegal occupation.
Over the past year, Israeli forces have carried out near-daily operations in southern Syria, especially in Quneitra province. These have included arrests and the clearing of land. Israeli troops are reported to be operating up to 15 kilometres inside Syrian territory. During the same period, Israel has launched more than 600 air, drone and artillery strikes across Syria, averaging almost two attacks a day. Israel says these strikes are aimed at preventing hostile forces from taking advantage of Syria’s instability.
Despite the renewed talks, the gap between the two sides remains wide. Syria wants Israel to reactivate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, restore the ceasefire lines and the UN buffer zone and also return to the pre-December 2024 positions. They also continue to oppose Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and have stated that Syria has no interest in joining the Abraham Accords.
Israel, by contrast, is seeking what it describes as a balanced security agreement. Its goals include the creation of a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and firm mechanisms to prevent Iranian forces or allied groups from gaining a foothold near the border. Protecting minority communities, particularly the Druze population in southern Syria, is presented as a key concern. Israel maintains that the 1974 agreement stands temporarily invalidated with the fall of the Assad regime and that a full withdrawal is impossible without clear and enforceable security guarantees.
Earlier rounds of negotiations were stuck over issues, such as humanitarian access and diplomatic recognition. Israel pushed for the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Sweida province to support the Druze community, which has faced sectarian violence. Syria rejected the proposal, saying it violated national sovereignty. Reports in November also suggested that Israel had raised the possibility of full diplomatic relations, a demand that Damascus has firmly ruled out.
The Trump administration views Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a potential partner for restoring stability. Israel, however, remains wary of the country’s Islamist-led government and doubts its ability to control armed groups across th
