Syria–Israel Security Talks Resume in Paris
Senior Syrian and Israeli officials met in Paris on Monday to restart negotiations aimed at reaching a new security agreement. According to Axios, citing an Israeli official and a knowledgeable source, the talks will last for two days.
The Syrian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, while a newly appointed Israeli negotiating team will participate on the other side. This marks the fifth round of talks between the two parties, but the first after a nearly two-month pause caused by deep disagreements and the resignation of Ron Dermer, Israel’s chief negotiator.
The main goal of these negotiations is to achieve a security agreement that includes the demilitarization of southern Syria and Israel’s withdrawal from areas it occupied following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This renewed effort is being driven directly by the U.S. government. Reports indicate that President Donald Trump is the key figure behind the resumption of talks, with Washington pushing both sides toward an agreement that would secure border stability and potentially pave the way for future normalization of relations. Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syrian affairs, is expected to act as mediator.
The resumption of negotiations follows Trump’s direct request to Benjamin Netanyahu during their late December 2025 meeting. Trump emphasized the need to continue talks to reach a swift agreement, while Netanyahu agreed but insisted on maintaining Israel’s red lines.
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