Trump Brokers Israel-Syria Security Pact to De-escalate Border Tensions

WASHINGTON — Israel and Syria have agreed to establish a new security coordination framework following U.S.-mediated talks in Paris, the Trump administration announced Tuesday, signaling a major shift in the volatile relationship between the two neighbors.

The agreement creates a "special communications cell" — also described as a "joint fusion mechanism" — designed for intelligence sharing and military de-escalation. The breakthrough comes as President Donald Trump seeks to stabilize the region following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.

“President Donald J. Trump’s leadership in the Middle East enabled productive discussions centered on respect for Syria’s sovereignty and Israel’s security,” the U.S. State Department said in a joint statement issued alongside the Israeli and Syrian governments.

Under the new arrangement, which will operate under U.S. supervision, the two nations will use the dedicated channel to coordinate security messages, prevent border misunderstandings, and explore potential cooperation in medicine, energy, and agriculture.

The diplomacy follows a period of heightened tension. After al-Assad was ousted on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes against Syrian military infrastructure to prevent strategic weapons from falling into the hands of extremist groups. Israeli forces also moved into the demilitarized buffer zone established by a 1974 pact, citing the need to secure its northern border.

While the new agreement focuses on immediate de-escalation, significant hurdles remain. Syrian officials, now under the interim leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have demanded a binding timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from territory seized during the recent power vacuum.

"It would not be possible to move forward on strategic files without a clear timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal," a Syrian official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the talks, stating that Israel’s priority remains "ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats along its borders." Netanyahu credited the breakthrough to Trump’s "vision for promoting peace in the Middle East."

U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner reportedly led the negotiations, which represent the fifth round of talks since the fall of the Assad family's 50-year rule.

The establishment of a formal, trilateral communication channel is a rare milestone for two countries that technically remain at war. Analysts say the move is an interim step toward a broader security deal that could eventually lead to the demilitarization of southern Syria.

GAROWE ONLINE