Israeli Official: Advanced Understandings with Damascus Under U.S. Mediation
An Israeli official said on Wednesday that talks between Israel and the Syrian Interim Government are “moving in a positive direction” and may be nearing an agreement, emphasizing that Tel Aviv does not support any calls for regional separatism within Syria.
The official, in statements carried by Al Arabiya.net, explained that “the agreement under discussion resembles the 1974 Disengagement Accord, with some modifications that include a joint Israeli, Syrian, and American presence at specific points, including the Mount Hermon area in southern Syria.”
He added that Israel has informed both the United States and Damascus that it “does not support separatist calls in Syria and does not stand behind the spiritual leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, or any party in Suwayda.” He clarified that this position came following remarks from the U.S. administration regarding recent developments in the province.
The official also denied any plans to open a humanitarian corridor from Israel to Suwayda, noting that “the American plan stipulates that humanitarian corridors should originate only from the capital, Damascus.”
He further stated that the Syrian Interim Government has pledged, as part of its understandings with Washington, not to target members of the Druze community and to ensure that Suwayda Province receives adequate services, employment, and salaries.
According to the official, the United States has informed Israel that the issue of southern Syria and relations with Damascus must be resolved before the beginning of next year. He added that the three parties have reached a preliminary agreement to establish a joint Syrian–American–Israeli security committee to monitor border conditions and developments in southern Syria.
