Media: Syria-Israel in talks aiming at countering Hezbollah

In a development that could reshape regional dynamics, Arab news outlet Rayetium reports that the United Arab Emirates and the United States are facilitating indirect negotiations between Israeli security officials and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’a. The reported talks are centered around potential Syrian cooperation in confronting Hezbollah in exchange for international recognition and economic and military aid.

According to the article, as cited by Maariv, the discussions are believed to have gained traction after a meeting allegedly took place in Abu Dhabi between Israel’s National Security Council chief, Tzachi Hanegbi, and President al-Shara’a. The mediation, said to be conducted with US backing, reflects a broader American initiative to re-engage with Damascus as part of a plan to stabilise Syria and contain Iranian influence in the region, Caliber.Az reports.

The report claims that US President Donald Trump’s administration has lifted certain restrictions on Syria and dispatched envoy Thomas Barrack to multiple Middle Eastern capitals—including Ankara, Beirut, and Damascus—to promote what is described as a "new plan" for stability in Syria, which includes action against Hezbollah.

Citing unnamed diplomatic sources, Rayetium suggests that Syria may be preparing to accept a strategic realignment: receiving arms and financial support from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in exchange for targeting Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. This, the report states, could position Syria as a key player in a broader regional coalition aimed at curbing the Iranian-backed group’s military presence.

While there has been no official confirmation of the reported meeting or the negotiations, the article describes growing interest in Abu Dhabi’s role as a mediator. Western and Arab diplomats are said to be closely monitoring the potential implications of such a shift in Syria’s foreign policy, particularly its willingness to engage with Israel and adopt a firmer stance against Hezbollah.

The report also refers to US reluctance to restore full diplomatic relations with Damascus, instead opting to appoint a special envoy to handle Syrian affairs. This move reflects both Washington’s cautious approach and its intention to use Syria’s military restructuring as leverage for future cooperation.

Sources cited in the article raise concerns about the possible recruitment of ideologically driven militias to support operations in Hezbollah strongholds across southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley—areas that remain central to the group's influence.

President al-Shara’a is reportedly weighing the proposal, balancing potential political gains with the risks of deeper military entanglement. Although no formal deal has been announced, the report suggests that logistical groundwork is already being laid in Damascus for potential future collaboration with Israeli and Western interests.

By Sabina Mammadli