Maariv: Israel sets the conditions for accepting any security agreement with Syria
Despite US mediation efforts and an agreement to establish a technical coordination mechanism, Israel rejects Syria’s demand to withdraw from Mount Hermon, which threatens the possibility of reaching any comprehensive security agreement between the two sides.
Last week, intensive two-day talks were held in Paris between representatives of Israel, Syria and the United States, with the aim of reaching security arrangements that would prevent any military escalation on the ground.
At the end of the meetings, the two sides reached only a limited understanding on the establishment of a technical coordination mechanism, with US participation, without any tangible progress on the withdrawal or political agreements.
The Israeli newspaper quoted a senior Israeli official as saying: “The Israeli position is clear and non-negotiable: there will be no withdrawal from Mount Hermon”.
The source added that the Syrian demand to link any security agreement to the Israeli withdrawal is the main reason why the talks don’t progress beyond the technical coordination stage.
At the same time, Israel is following with concern Syria’s attempts, in coordination with Moscow, to redeploy Russian forces in the south of the country, which the Israeli military views as a direct threat to its freedom of movement in the region.
The source confirmed that Israel has obstructed attempts to deploy Russian forces in southern Syria, and has informed Syria, Russia and the United States that a Russian military presence in those areas is unacceptable.
In addition, Israel is following Syria’s contacts with Russia and Türkiye regarding the purchase of advanced weapons, especially air defense systems, and has informed all parties that any Syrian possession of these capabilities won’t be accepted, as it could change the regional balance of power.
The Israeli source explained that the goal is:
- Maintaining the status quo without the IDF withdrawing from Mount Hermon.
- Preventing the growth of Syrian military power.
- Prevent any foreign military presence that restricts the work of the IDF.
At the US level, President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to reach a security agreement between Israel and Syria, even if it’s not a comprehensive political agreement.
At this stage, however, he didn’t demand the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Mount Hermon or other areas controlled by Israel after the fall of the Assad regime, merely pressuring both sides to achieve relative stability on the ground.
