Paris, France – Israel and Syria have agreed to establish a joint communication mechanism under US supervision aimed at sharing intelligence and de-escalating military tensions along their border.

The announcement follows US-brokered talks in Paris on Monday and Tuesday between Israeli and Syrian officials, including the Syrian foreign minister.

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A Dedicated Communication Cell

The mechanism, described in the joint statement as a “dedicated communication cell”, is intended to:

• Share intelligence in real time between Israel and Syria.
• Coordinate military de-escalation along the border.
• Facilitate diplomatic engagement.
• Explore commercial opportunities between the two nations.

“The mechanism will serve as a platform to address any disputes promptly and work to prevent misunderstandings,” the statement said.

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Ongoing Disagreements

Despite the announcement, Syrian officials stressed that moving forward on strategic issues would require a clear timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from territory seized since December 2024, after the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad.

A Syrian source told Reuters that the Paris talks concluded with an initiative to suspend Israeli military activity against Syria, though this has not been confirmed by Israel.

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Background: Military Tensions

Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Syrian territory over the past year, including attacks on Damascus’s Ministry of Defence headquarters and strategic areas such as Jabal al-Sheikh, a mountain on the Israel–Syria border.

Israel has occupied parts of the Golan Heights since 1967 and expanded into additional Syrian territory over the last year. Israeli officials have publicly described the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as “extremist,” despite US support for al-Sharaa under President Donald Trump.

The ongoing military pressure has contributed to the urgency of a communication and de-escalation mechanism, though experts say a comprehensive security agreement is still unlikely in the near term.

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US Role

The US Department of State said the communication line will be used to:

• Facilitate ongoing coordination on intelligence sharing.
• Support military de-escalation.
• Enable diplomatic discussions.
• Explore potential commercial collaboration.

This step reflects growing US engagement in regional security and attempts to prevent further escalation between Israel and Syria.