Damascus, Syria – Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi has revealed that direct communication is underway between Israel and Syria’s transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a significant shift in diplomatic dynamics.
According to Israel Hayom, Hanegbi told the Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in a closed-door meeting on Sunday that Israel is engaged in ongoing and direct discussions with Damascus. He emphasized that he is personally overseeing the political and security coordination efforts.
Hanegbi confirmed that despite President Ahmed al-Sharaa informing French President Emmanuel Macron that he prefers indirect dialogue with Israel, “the reality involves direct dialogue, daily communication across all governmental levels. I personally conduct these discussions with political representatives of their government. Israel and Syria share numerous common interests, particularly concerning Iran,” he said.
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When questioned about a potential Israeli military withdrawal from the buffer zone along the Syrian border, Hanegbi expressed openness: “If normalization occurs, we will consider this option.”
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding Sharaa’s past ideological positions, particularly a 2014 statement about reaching Jerusalem via Damascus, Hanegbi stated, “we continue monitoring this. Al-Sharaa continues developing through his leadership experience.”
Hanegbi also identified Syria and Lebanon as possible candidates for normalization agreements with Israel, modeled after the 2020 Abraham Accords.
These revelations follow a May report by Reuters, citing Emirati efforts to facilitate a backchannel between Israel and Syria. Sources told the agency that the talks, which began shortly after Sharaa’s April visit to the UAE, are focused on intelligence cooperation and building trust.
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According to a regional intelligence official and a Syrian security source, the backchannel remains limited to security issues, particularly counterterrorism, and excludes topics like Israeli military activity within Syria.
The discussions reportedly involve Emirati intelligence officials, members of the Syrian intelligence apparatus, and former Israeli intelligence figures.
