Israel and Syria Establish Communication Line Under US Mediation

Collaboration Between Israel and Syria Under US Oversight

Israel and Syria have agreed to establish a joint mechanism for information sharing and military de-escalation coordination under the supervision of the United States, according to a statement released by the three countries. The "dedicated communication center," as described in Tuesday's statement, will also facilitate "diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities."

Israel and Syria have engaged in intermittent discussions throughout the past year in an attempt to find a security agreement aimed at halting Israel's repeated attacks on its northeastern neighbor. The latest statement came after meetings between Israeli and Syrian officials, including the Syrian Foreign Minister, in Paris on Monday and Tuesday, as the US seeks to revive negotiations.

"The mechanism will serve as a platform to quickly address any disputes and prevent misunderstandings," the statement noted. However, a Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that it would be impossible to make progress on "strategic files" with Israel without a clear and enforceable timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territories occupied since the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The official added that discussions concluded with an initiative to suspend all Israeli military activities against Syria, something that has not been confirmed by the Israeli side.

Israel has illegally occupied parts of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 but has expanded the occupied area over the past year, including capturing the strategic Mount Jabal al-Sheikh, situated between Israel and Syria. Israel has also conducted multiple attacks, including on the Ministry of Defense building in Damascus. Israeli officials have attempted to portray the new Syrian authorities, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as an "extremist" force, despite the clear support of the Syrian leader from US President Donald Trump. This support from the US has pressured Israel to reach an agreement with Syria, although a comprehensive accord does not seem imminent.

The US Department of State has stated that the agreed communication mechanism will be used "to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination regarding information sharing between Israel and Syria, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities."