Room for Peace
עבריתالعربيةEnglish

Israel and Syria ·

Israel–Syria security talks, 2025–2026

Security negotiations that are still under way, with American mediation; as of October 2026 no agreement has been signed, and the talks concern security arrangements, not a peace treaty.35

In 30 seconds

After the Assad government fell in December 2024, the Israeli army entered the area of separation set in 1974.1 Since July 2025 senior Israeli and Syrian representatives have met under American mediation.4 The only public result so far is a communication mechanism announced in January 2026; no security agreement has been signed.5

Where it stands today

As of 7 October 2026 no agreement has been signed. According to Security Council Report the talks stalled after Israeli airstrikes on 18 August 2026; Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on 23 September that the channel is still active.311

In one sentence

To reach a security arrangement in southern Syria after the fall of the Assad government and the Israeli army's entry into the area of separation.

The challenge

On 8 December 2024 the Assad government fell. Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the 1974 Disengagement Agreement had collapsed and ordered the army to seize the buffer zone and commanding positions nearby.1

Israel describes its presence as a defensive security buffer, and also cites the protection of the Druze.23 The Syrian government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa demands a withdrawal to the lines of 8 December 2024 and says it is committed to the 1974 agreement.3

The road there

  1. The Assad government falls; the Israeli army enters the area of separation.1
  2. Paris: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani meets Israeli minister Ron Dermer, mediated by US envoy Tom Barrack; according to Enab Baladi it is the highest-level official meeting between the two countries in more than 25 years.4
  3. Paris: a joint statement by Israel, Syria and the United States announces a joint communication mechanism under American supervision.56
  4. The Syrian foreign minister says the talks concern withdrawal from territory seized since December 2024, not the question of control over the Golan.7
  5. An Israeli airstrike hits the Abu al-Duhur airbase; Syria cuts off contacts.38
  6. Jordan: Shaibani meets Mossad chief Roman Gofman under American mediation; no agreement is announced.9810
  7. Netanyahu visits a military position on Mount Hermon, inside Syrian territory; Damascus condemns the visit.2
  8. Al-Sharaa says in New York that the talks had earlier reached about 90% agreement, and that the channel is still active.11

The people

What is being discussed

  • An Israeli withdrawal to the lines held before 8 December 2024, and a timetable for it.86
  • Restoring the arrangement of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.85
  • Security zones in southern Syria near the border, and buffer zones with a UN presence.8
  • Practical mechanisms to halt Israeli strikes, arrests and targeted operations on Syrian territory.8
  • What is not on the table, according to the Syrian side: control over the Golan Heights, and full diplomatic relations.75

The geography

100%
Schematic map of Israel and its neighbours with line typesGolan HeightsDamascusNaharayim / Baqura

Choose a country on the map or in the list. Use + and − to zoom. On touch screens, enable gestures to drag and pinch; scroll the page outside the map. Keyboard: arrows to pan, + and − to zoom, Home to reset.

Layers · Legend
  • International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
  • Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
  • 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
  • “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
  • Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
  • Other international boundary
  • West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
  • Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
  • UN area of separation (UNDOF)

Classification follows the original research as of 7 Oct 2026. This schematic map is not a legal boundary map or a live update.

  • International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
  • Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
  • 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
  • “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
  • Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
  • Other international boundary
  • West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
  • Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
  • UN area of separation (UNDOF)

Schematic map. Lines are approximate and are not a legal determination. Data: Natural Earth (public domain), 1:10m scale; line classification and place names by this site. Lines as of October 2026. Peace map

The hard decisions

  • Syria wants withdrawal and a binding timetable first; Israel did not confirm acceptance of the Syrian proposal to suspend all its military activity.6
  • Tension between Israel and Turkey over the Turkish military presence in Syria weighs on the talks.83
  • Violence in the Druze area of Sweida remains in dispute: Syria regards it as an internal matter.5

Where accounts differ

According to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa
The talks reached about 90% agreement, and then Israel pulled back or added conditions; this is his characterisation alone, and we found no Israeli confirmation of it.11
According to The Israeli government
The presence on Syrian territory is a small security buffer and a defensive measure against terrorist cells.2
According to The United Nations
The Israeli army's presence and activities in the area of separation are violations of the 1974 agreement.3

What was carried out

  • The joint statement of 6 January 2026 set up a dedicated communication cell under American supervision for intelligence coordination, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities; it is not a security agreement.56

What was not

  • No security agreement has been signed, and Israel has not withdrawn from the territory seized since December 2024: according to the UN Secretary-General's report of 23 September 2026, the Israeli army maintains and has reinforced 11 positions on the Syrian side.3

What changed in real life

  • The UN Secretary-General's report describes detentions, house searches, movement restrictions and damage to farmland on the Syrian side of the area of separation.3

What remains open

  • It is unclear whether and when talks on an agreement will resume: Shaibani said in August that negotiations would resume soon, but voiced doubt.8
  • Even if a security arrangement is reached, it will not be a peace treaty: the Golan Heights are not being discussed in the talks, and al-Sharaa says the Golan is not negotiable.711

Sources

  1. Press The New Arab · 8 December 2024
    Israel's Netanyahu declares end of Syria border agreement
  2. Research Security Council Report · 2026
    Syria, October 2026 Monthly Forecast
  3. Research Security Council Report · 2026
    UNDOF (Golan), October 2026 Monthly Forecast
  4. Press Enab Baladi · 25 July 2025
    Under U.S. sponsorship, al-Shibani meets Israeli minister in Paris
  5. Press The Times of Israel · 6 January 2026
    Israel, Syria said to agree to hasten progress for deal on 2nd day of renewed talks
  6. Press Al Jazeera · 6 January 2026
    Israel, Syria agree to dedicated communication line in US-brokered talks
  7. Research Security Council Report · 2026
    UNDOF (Golan), March 2026 Monthly Forecast
  8. Press Asharq Al-Awsat · 24 August 2026
    Syria, Israel Hold US-Mediated Talks to Ease Tensions
  9. Press The New Arab · 25 August 2026
    What do we know about the Syria and Israel meeting in Jordan, and efforts to revive negotiations?
  10. Press Al Jazeera · 24 August 2026
    Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks in Jordan to de-escalate tensions
  11. Press The Jerusalem Post · 23 September 2026
    Sharaa: October 7 cannot dictate Israel's Syria policy, talks reached 90% agreement