Israel and Syria agreed on Tuesday to establish a communications cell to coordinate common issues, including exchanging intelligence information and reducing military escalation. A joint statement issued by the US State Department after the discussions in Paris stated that Syria and Israel are committed to “making arrangements that (ensure) permanent security and stability for both countries.”

Published on: 01/06/2026 - 21:48

It is expected that the new Syrian government and Israel will form a joint group under the supervision of the United States to share intelligence information and work to contain the military escalation, according to a statement issued by the US State Department on Tuesday.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani participated in talks held in Paris after Israel launched repeated strikes on Syria, despite US dissatisfaction with Israeli pressure on the fragile government in Damascus.

Read also: A new round of negotiations between Syria and Israel in Paris, mediated by America

A joint statement issued by the US State Department after the discussions in Paris stated that Syria and Israel are committed to “making arrangements that (ensure) permanent security and stability for both countries.”

The statement said, "The two parties decided to establish a joint integration mechanism - a communication cell - to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination related to the exchange of intelligence information, containment of military escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States."

He added, "This mechanism will be a platform to quickly address any disagreements and work to prevent misunderstandings."

The meeting, which was held at an American initiative, is the first in months between Israel and Syria, which do not have diplomatic relations.

After the ouster of Assad, Israeli forces advanced to positions in the buffer zone in the Golan that existed under the 1974 disengagement agreement.

A Syrian government source said that the discussions “mainly address the reactivation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces” from the points to which they were presented.

Al-Sharaa seeks to avoid confrontation with Israel, while Damascus demands that the Hebrew state respect the disengagement agreement concluded in the wake of the last Arab-Israeli war, and defines the line that separates the parts of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel from Syrian territory.

The joint statement did not mention the buffer zone.

For his part, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that “the dialogue took place within the framework of President Trump’s vision to advance peace in the Middle East,” explaining that Israel stressed during the talks “the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and avoiding threats along its borders.”

The statement added, "Israel reiterated its commitment to enhancing regional stability and security, in addition to the need to achieve progress in economic cooperation for the benefit of the two countries."

He pointed out that the two parties agreed to "continue dialogue to advance common goals and protect the security of the Druze minority in Syria."

Israel indicated that one of the reasons for its intervention in Syria was to protect the Druze from acts of violence.

France 24/AFP

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