Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated on Tuesday that any potential negotiations with Syria would depend on Damascus agreeing to create what he called a demilitarized zone extending from the Syrian capital to the southern slopes of Mount Hermon in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Speaking during a visit to an Israeli hospital to meet soldiers wounded in recent attacks in southern Syria, Netanyahu claimed that the occupation views the territory as essential for the security of its settlers, asserting that such conditions would be required for any future agreement.

Netanyahu stated: "What we expect Syria to do, of course, is to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area, including, of course, the approaches to Mount Hermon and the summit of Mount Hermon. We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us. In a good spirit and understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians."

Israeli regime escalates operations in southern Syria

The Israeli occupation has carried out raids across the southern Syrian provinces of Daraa and Quneitra since December 2024, establishing new checkpoints and detaining Arab residents. These actions have raised concerns about further expansion into Syrian territory under the pretext of border security.

During his remarks, Netanyahu added: "We are determined to defend our communities on our borders, including the northern border, and to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists and hostile actions against us, to protect our Druze allies, and to ensure that the State of Israel is safe from ground attack and other attacks from the border areas."

Damascus has condemned the escalation, urging the international community to take action to halt the aggression, warning that continued military operations by the Israeli occupation undermine regional stability and violate Syrian sovereignty.

Syria meets US envoy for talks

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani received US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack in Damascus, where the two discussed recent regional developments and ways to enhance cooperation between Syria and the United States in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both sides.

The diplomatic engagement comes as Washington is reportedly pushing efforts to secure a security agreement between Syria and the Israeli occupation.

The US envoy’s movement underscores heightened diplomatic maneuvering as regional powers weigh the implications of any Syrian-Israeli arrangement. However, observers note that such proposals remain deeply contested, particularly amid the ongoing occupation of Syrian land and unresolved security issues along the Golan frontier.

US officials have expressed strong objections to the actions carried out by the Israeli occupation in Syria, according to a report from Israeli Channel 12 citing a senior US official.

Political correspondent Barak Ravid reported that the official insisted Syria “does not want problems with Israel,” warning that the current approach taken by Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will turn the new regime in Syria into an enemy of Israel.”