Saudi-Israeli normalization deal hinges on Syria: Israeli media
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A senior Saudi source told Israeli media that a US-"Israel"-Syria deal could lead to a future Saudi-Israeli agreement, if Hamas is excluded and the Palestinian Authority is included.
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People walk past an electronic billboard that shows US President Donald Trump, left, shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with text that says: "We are ready," in Tel Aviv, on February 3, 2025. (AP)
Saudi Arabia views the emerging agreement between "Israel", Syria, and the United States as a potential pathway toward a future deal between Saudi Arabia and Tel Aviv, a senior source within the Royal family told the Israeli Kan channel, provided the arrangement includes the Palestinian Authority and excludes the presence of the resistance movement Hamas in Gaza.
According to the source cited by Kan, Saudi Arabia is closely following Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, suggesting that recent developments, particularly related to Syria, could pave the way for a new trilateral agreement involving "Israel", the US, and the Palestinian Authority, without Hamas, which he labeled a "terrorist organization."
The source noted that Riyadh has long been displeased with repeated Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, which have recently ended. These strikes, the source claimed, threatened the stability of governance in Damascus, adding that Saudi Arabia now recognizes the legitimacy of Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Israeli-Syrian engagement
It is worth noting that "Israel" has been engaging with Syria through at least four communication channels. These include Tzachi Hanegbi, the national security advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; David Barnea, director of the Mossad; Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar; and ongoing military coordination through the Israeli army.
Al-Sharaa reportedly held a covert meeting with senior Israeli intelligence officials in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, marking a dramatic departure from Syria's historic rejection and refusal to submit to "Israel".
Moreover, a source cited by i24NEWS reported that the April 13 meeting in Abu Dhabi was mediated by the UAE and attended by top Israeli representatives from the Mossad, National Security Council, and IOF intelligence.
Reshaping the Palestinian landscape
In a related context, Bloomberg reported in May that France and Saudi Arabia had proposed a plan to disarm Hamas, dismantle its military wing, and rebrand it as a purely political entity. The initiative aims to incorporate Hamas into a unified Palestinian Authority as part of broader efforts to reshape the Palestinian political scene to align with regional normalization projects.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia, alongside several other Arab states, conditioned the reconstruction of Gaza with the disarmament of the Palestinian Resistance group.
Read more: Preliminary US-backed talks underway between 'Israel', Syria: Axios
