Syria, Israel Hold Talks on Security Deal, Golan Heights Buffer Zone

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced that Syria is currently negotiating with Israel to reach a security agreement aimed at reviving the 1974 disengagement accord or establishing a similar framework, which would see Israel withdraw from areas it occupied following the December overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Despite Israel's ongoing military actions and territorial expansion in the Golan Heights since 1967, Syria has expressed commitment to the original agreement and sought the return of the UN Disengagement Observer Force to its prior positions. Sharaa also revealed that during the offensive that toppled Assad, Syrian forces engaged in secret negotiations with Russia, an important Assad ally, to coordinate military actions and political strategy. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Syria have initiated formal talks to address long-standing disputes including border demarcation, smuggling, and detainees, with committees meeting for the first time in Damascus and planning further sessions in Beirut. These Lebanese-Syrian discussions aim to strengthen bilateral relations and focus on resolving issues related to missing persons, prisoner exchanges, refugee returns, and border security. Together, these developments indicate a regional shift toward dialogue and potential normalization of relations amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.