Israel and Syria hold direct talks to ease border tensions

Israel and Syria have recently held direct, face-to-face talks aimed at lowering tensions along their shared border, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions.

The meetings—described as a significant shift in long-hostile relations—focused on avoiding military escalation and improving coordination in the sensitive frontier region. Several rounds reportedly took place in recent weeks, some on Israeli-controlled territory.

This development comes amid a period of reduced Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria and quiet diplomatic efforts following the rise of a new government in Damascus, which replaced Bashar al-Assad in December.

U.S. officials are said to be encouraging the Syrian leadership to build working ties with Israel as part of a broader push to stabilize the region. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently acknowledged indirect talks, saying they were intended to prevent further violence. Israel has not commented publicly on the meetings.

On the Syrian side, senior security official Ahmad al-Dalati is believed to be involved in the discussions. He has publicly denied participating in direct talks, but sources say he has been central in regional security coordination, especially in areas bordering the Golan Heights.

While there is no indication that normalization is on the table at this stage, sources say the talks have focused on avoiding incidents and limiting military activity near the border. One official described the dialogue as aimed at achieving “peace as in no war,” rather than formal diplomatic ties.

In recent weeks, Syrian authorities have taken steps to signal stability, including cooperating on security and releasing symbolic gestures such as the return of personal items belonging to Israeli spy Eli Cohen.

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