Israeli, Syrian ministers set to meet under US sponsorship
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Asaad al-Shaibani and Ron Dermer are expected to meet as part of a US-mediated effort to reach a security agreement between the two.
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Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa shakes hands with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, in Damascus, Syria, May 29, 2025 (AP)
A meeting is expected to take place this week between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, as part of efforts to reach a security agreement between Damascus and Tel Aviv, Syrian and Israeli sources reported, citing the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.
The meeting is reportedly being facilitated by US envoy Tom Barrack, who has previously met with both parties on multiple occasions in an attempt to formulate a security understanding based on a non-aggression pact, through which both sides would commit to avoiding any mutual military actions, to ensure respect for Syrian sovereignty.
Previously, the Syrian and Israeli sides have met on several occasions in announced and unannounced rounds to set up the stage for any security or political arrangements.
Al-Shaibani and Dermer have met on multiple occasions, most recently in Paris last August, when the Israeli newspaper Haaretz described the discussions as a "critical test" for the trajectory of relations between Damascus and Tel Aviv.
Syria, 'Israel' work toward a security deal
According to Haaretz, citing informed sources, a key item proposed during the meeting between Dermer and al-Shaibani was preventing Hezbollah, Iranian forces, or any party considered hostile to "Israel" from deploying in southern Syria.
The sources also suggested that other proposals included making the border area a demilitarized zone, free from the Syrian army, and deploying alternative security forces equipped only with light weapons and tasked solely with maintaining order.
It is worth noting that al-Shaibani, a top aide to interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, revealed two weeks ago that advanced communications with "Israel" were taking place, affirming that Damascus is seeking to guarantee its supreme national interests.
He added that al-Sharaa does not currently see a path to a "comprehensive peace" agreement with "Israel" but stressed that he would not hesitate to pursue any deal that serves the Syrian people's interests should the right conditions emerge.
