Israel, Syria agree to accelerate talks under US mediation

Israel and Syria have agreed to speed up negotiations and take confidence-building measures aimed at reaching a security agreement, following another round of Israeli–Syrian talks held in Paris under U.S. mediation.

Israel’s Channel N12 reported, citing an Israeli source, that both sides expressed a willingness to achieve a security arrangement in line with the vision of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the broadcaster, the delegations agreed to accelerate the pace of negotiations, hold meetings more frequently, and take concrete steps to build mutual trust.

The talks in Paris included senior officials from all three sides. Representing Israel were Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who has replaced former Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer as head of the Israeli delegation after Dermer’s resignation in November last year, as well as Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Roman Gofman and Acting Head of Israel’s National Security Council Gil Reich.

The U.S. delegation included Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, U.S. presidential envoy Steven Witkoff, and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to N12.

Syria was represented by Foreign Minister of the transitional government Asaad al-Shaibani and Head of the General Intelligence Service Hussein al-Salama.

By Vugar Khalilov