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Israel has presented Syria with a proposal for a new security agreement, Axios reported on Tuesday. The deal, modeled on the 1979 peace accord with Egypt, seeks to restructure military presence and air activity southwest of Damascus.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, the plan includes a detailed map covering territory from Damascus down to the Israeli border. The proposal divides the area into three security zones, with Israel seeking to extend the buffer zone on the Syrian side by an additional two kilometers.
A central feature of the proposal is a no-fly zone. All Syrian aircraft would be prohibited from entering the swath of land stretching from southwest Damascus to the Israeli frontier. Israeli officials view this measure as crucial for preventing the movement of hostile forces and surveillance near its borders.
In exchange, Israel has signaled willingness to gradually withdraw from most of its military positions in Syria. However, officials made clear that Mount Hermon would remain under permanent Israeli control. One source emphasized that Israel considers the strategic mountain an essential security asset in any future arrangement.
Syria has not yet formally responded to the proposal, which was reportedly delivered several weeks ago. Diplomatic efforts, however, continue.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani are expected to meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the draft. It will mark the third round of such negotiations.
Sources told Axios that while some progress has been made, a major breakthrough does not appear imminent. The sensitive negotiations involve not only territorial security but also broader regional dynamics.
One official familiar with the discussions noted that a significant aspect of Israel’s proposal includes maintaining an aerial corridor through Syria to Iran.
This would ensure Israel could carry out operations against Iran if tensions escalated further. Such a clause highlights how deeply intertwined the Syrian theater is with Israel’s broader strategic concerns in the Middle East.
The talks come against a backdrop of ongoing instability in Syria, where multiple foreign actors continue to assert influence. For Israel, securing guarantees on the Syrian front remains a priority, both to safeguard its borders and to contain Iranian military activity in the region.
Whether the Syrian government will accept the terms remains uncertain. With the involvement of the United States as mediator, however, the proposal signals Israel’s intent to shape a long-term framework for stability with its neighbor, even if a comprehensive peace deal remains distant.’
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members