"Cold Peace": Israel Lowers Expectations for Any Potential Agreement with Syria - Jordan News

Jordan News

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"Cold Peace": Israel Lowers Expectations for Any Potential Agreement with Syria Israel has lowered its expectations regarding a potential agreement with Syria, indicating that any deal would take time to materialize and would likely amount to a 'cold peace,' at least in its initial phase. اضافة اعلان According to the Hebrew news outlet Walla, normalization is not yet on the table, but ongoing talks could lay the groundwork for future diplomacy—beginning with efforts to ease tensions and update security arrangements along the turbulent Israeli-Syrian border. On Monday, the site quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying, 'While the U.S. favors a gradual approach to slowly build relations between the two countries, Israel wants assurance from the outset that the process will eventually lead to a full peace agreement with Syria, including normalization.' The Israeli official added, 'An agreement with Syria is not imminent and will take time to achieve.' Walla reported that in early June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Trump's former envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, of his interest in negotiating a new security arrangement with the Syrian government that emerged after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad—under U.S. mediation. A senior Israeli official, also unnamed, stated that Netanyahu's goal is to reach a series of phased agreements with Syria, starting with an updated version of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and ultimately culminating in a full peace treaty and normalization of ties. Since 1967, Israel has occupied the majority of Syria's Golan Heights. It has taken advantage of the new post-Assad reality—following the regime's collapse in late 2024—by seizing control of the demilitarized zone and declaring the 1974 disengagement agreement null and void. Israel has also occupied the strategic Mount Hermon (Jabal Al-Sheikh), located just 35 km from Damascus and situated between Syria and Lebanon, with visibility extending into Israel and Jordan. The mountain has four peaks, the highest of which reaches 2,814 meters. Walla noted that Israeli officials now view these territories as key bargaining chips in negotiations, asserting that Israel will only consider withdrawal in exchange for full peace and normalization with Syria. An unnamed American official reportedly said that current talks are limited to officials below Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara, and that no summit between leaders has been discussed. The report revealed that Israel is communicating with Syria through at least four channels, including Netanyahu's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, Mossad Director David Barnea, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar for political and strategic dialogue, and the Israeli military for daily operational coordination. Unnamed senior Israeli officials told Walla they are seeking greater U.S. involvement in mediation, believing it would give the Syrian government a stronger incentive to reach an agreement. The fate of the Golan Heights—occupied by Israel during the 1967 war—remains one of the biggest unresolved issues in any potential Israeli-Syrian peace talks. Over the past three decades, every round of negotiations has seen the Syrian side demand full or near-full Israeli withdrawal in exchange for peace. During his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel—an action that has not been reversed by former President Joe Biden's administration. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that Israel is open to an agreement with Syria but insisted that the Golan Heights would remain part of Israel under any future deal. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reported that Israel and Syria are engaged in security talks facing significant challenges as both sides strive for peace, but obstacles persist that could result in a 'cold peace' rather than full reconciliation. Quoting two unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations, the paper said that the talks might eventually lead to a peace agreement, but a major stumbling block has emerged. According to the report, the new Syrian administration has made it clear that under any agreement, Israel would not be permitted to carry out operations or strike targets inside Syrian territory. Israel, on the other hand, insists on maintaining the ability to counter security threats—especially if it withdraws from buffer zones as requested by Damascus. Sources close to the negotiations told the paper that even if an agreement is reached, it would likely begin as a cold peace. The report added that such an agreement, if signed, would not alter the status of the Golan Heights but would instead focus on the demilitarized zones seized by Israel following Assad's fall over six months ago. An unnamed Israeli source told the Jerusalem Post: 'At this stage, it won't be a peace agreement so much as a security arrangement aimed at cooperation against civil threats.' He added, somewhat cynically: 'No one will be eating hummus in Damascus or sailing in Latakia anytime soon.' Although the new Syrian administration has not threatened Israel, the latter has carried out airstrikes on Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024. These strikes have killed civilians and destroyed Syrian military sites, vehicles, and ammunition. Israel has also conducted ground incursions into Quneitra and the Damascus countryside.
(Anadolu Agency)