The Syrian transitional president, Ahmad Al-Shara, revealed the existence of “indirect negotiations” with Israel aimed at halting its attacks on certain Syrian regions. This was disclosed during a meeting with community leaders and elders from Quneitra and the Golan.

According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, reported by the SANA news agency, Al-Shara discussed the living, service, and security conditions in the province with the local representatives and listened to their concerns about repeated Israeli incursions and attacks.

Al-Shara affirmed that efforts are underway to stop Israeli attacks “through indirect negotiations with international mediators.” He emphasized the important role of community leaders in strengthening national unity and conveying citizens’ concerns.

This development follows Israeli media reports that Israeli National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi is personally overseeing the coordination of political and security efforts between Israel and Syria.

Hanegbi stated that he is conducting the dialogue with Syrian political figures on behalf of the Israeli government and that the coordination involves shared political and security matters. He confirmed that “there is daily communication at all levels with Syria” and suggested that “this openness could pave the way for Syria and Lebanon to join the Abraham Accords for normalization with Israel.”

In an interview with Israel Hayom, Hanegbi was asked whether Israel might consider withdrawing from the buffer zone in the Golan Heights if normalization with Damascus were to occur. He responded, “If normalization takes place, we’ll consider it.”

Earlier, on May 31, Syrian Information Minister Hamza Al-Mustafa stated that “there are indirect negotiations with Israel focusing on the Separation of Forces Agreement.” During a press conference, he clarified that “these indirect talks arose due to continuous Israeli aggression” and emphasized that “they center on the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and the need to uphold it.”