Paris Talks Yield A Communication Cell. US-mediated talks produced an agreement to create a joint "dedicated communication cell" to share intelligence and coordinate de-escalation between Syria and Israel. Damascus seeks reactivation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-8 December 2024 lines, while Israel appears driven by territorial leverage, minority ties and strategic aims. Washington's priority is containment and stability, but doubts remain about enforcement and whether the US will press Israel to comply.
Paris Deal: Syria and Israel Set Up a 'Dedicated Communication Cell' To Curb Hostilities
Smoke rises in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. [Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images]
Syria and Israel agreed in US-mediated talks in Paris to establish a joint "dedicated communication cell" intended to share intelligence and coordinate measures to reduce military tensions, officials said after the meeting on Tuesday.
Background
The two countries have long-standing security arrangements dating back to a US-backed 1974 disengagement agreement. Following significant political developments in Syria on December 8, 2024, Israel increased strikes on Syrian military targets and moved forces into parts of the demilitarised zone that lie on Syrian territory. Over the past year, Damascus and Jerusalem have held intermittent negotiations aimed at producing a security framework to prevent further escalation.
What the Mechanism Will Do
According to a joint statement, the new mechanism "will serve as a platform to address any disputes promptly and work to prevent misunderstandings." The body is designed to receive and resolve complaints quickly, share intelligence, and coordinate de-escalation steps to prevent incidents that could trigger broader attacks.
Syria's Demands
A government source quoted by state media SANA said Damascus wants to reactivate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the lines in place prior to Dec. 8, 2024. The Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is pressing for respect for Syrian sovereignty, an end to strikes on Syrian territory, and a halt to external interference in Syrian domestic affairs.
What Israel Seeks
Analysts and reporters say Israel's priorities appear to include territorial leverage, influence over local minority communities—especially the Druze in Suwayda—and long-term strategic advantages in southern Syria. Israeli officials have also emphasised concerns about security south of Damascus and have sought to limit the influence of other regional actors such as Turkey and Iran.
American Interests
US officials view the talks through a containment lens: a more stable, central Syrian government could help counter the return of ISIL and reduce the need for a prolonged US military presence in eastern Syria. Washington is also concerned about limiting Iranian entrenchment in Syria and containing wider regional escalation. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in expanding normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab states, though Damascus has said it does not intend to join such accords.
Doubts And Enforcement Challenges
A Syrian official told Reuters that Damascus is unwilling to move forward on "strategic files" without an enforceable timetable for Israel's withdrawal from areas seized after December 2024.
Observers note a recent precedent: after the November 2024 ceasefire in Lebanon, a similar mechanism involving France and the United States did not prevent near-daily strikes or the presence of Israeli forces in a number of occupied positions. For the Syria–Israel cell to be effective, many analysts say the United States (and potentially other mediators) would need to press strongly—and more consistently—on Israel to abide by agreed limits.
Territorial Context
Israel has occupied parts of the Golan Heights since 1967 and has shown no indication of returning those areas to Syrian control. Following the December 2024 developments, Israeli forces also expanded into additional positions, including strategic points such as Jabal al-Sheikh, which overlooks parts of Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
What's Next
For now, Damascus appears focused on securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-December-2024 lines and reviving formal guarantees of Syrian sovereignty. Whether the communication cell becomes an effective tool to prevent violence will depend on the mechanism's implementation details, the willingness of the parties to cooperate, and the strength of international monitoring and pressure to enforce commitments.
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