Washington pressures for limited security agreement between Interim Government, Tel Aviv

According to informed sources speaking to Reuters, the Syrian Interim Government is intensifying its talks with Israel under U.S. pressure to reach a security agreement that Damascus hopes will result in the restoration of recently occupied territories, although the agreement would fall short of a full peace treaty.

The sources added that Washington is pushing for meaningful progress by the end of this month, coinciding with the gathering of world leaders in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, allowing U.S. President Donald Trump to announce a significant diplomatic breakthrough.

Four sources told Reuters that even reaching a limited agreement would be considered an achievement, given Israel’s firm stance during months of negotiations.

The agency interviewed nine sources knowledgeable about the discussions and Israeli operations in southern Syria, including military and political officials from the Interim Government, two intelligence sources, and an Israeli official.

According to these sources, the Interim Government’s proposal focuses on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied in recent months, reinstating a demilitarized buffer zone agreed upon under the 1974 ceasefire, as well as stopping Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions inside Syrian territory.

The sources confirmed that the talks did not address the status of the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. A Syrian source familiar with Damascus’ position said the issue has been “left for the future.”

Sources noted that Israel expressed strong reservations during secret talks about relinquishing its territorial gains.

An Israeli security source said, “The U.S. is pressuring Syria to expedite a security agreement  this is personal for Trump,” explaining that the U.S. president seeks to present himself as the architect of a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East.

However, the same source added, “Israel is not giving much.”

A U.S. State Department official said Washington “continues to support any efforts that would bring stability and lasting peace between Israel, Syria, and their neighbors,” without clarifying whether the administration aims to announce a breakthrough during the General Assembly meetings.

A Syrian officer stationed near the border said army patrols avoid confrontations with Israeli forces, who regularly raid villages to collect population data and search homes for weapons.

ANHA