The U.S. presented Israel and Syria with a new proposal for a security pact between them that includes establishing a joint economic zone on both sides of the border, a U.S. official told Axios.
Why it matters: The Trump administration is pushing for an agreement to stabilize the security situation along the Israel-Syria border, which officials see as the first step toward future diplomatic normalization.
Driving the news: The proposal came during several hours of talks in Paris on Tuesday, during which Israel and Syria agreed to accelerate the pace of the negotiations going forward, Israeli and U.S. officials with direct knowledge said.
- U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and President Trump's advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner mediated between the parties.
- "The talks were very good and candid. Our theme was cooperation instead of repudiation," the U.S. official said.
- An senior Israeli official said the parties had agreed to hold more frequent meetings and take confidence-building measures. "Both countries expressed a desire to reach a security agreement under President Trump's vision for the Middle East."
State of play: This was the fifth round of U.S.-mediated talks, but the first in two months after the talks had entered a stalemate with big gaps still remaining.
- President Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to the table during their meeting last week in Florida.
Behind the scenes: A U.S. official said that during the meeting in Paris, the U.S. proposed a joint U.S.-Israeli-Syrian "fusion cell" in Amman, Jordan to oversee the security situation in Southern Syria and host further talks on demilitarization and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
- "We freeze all military activities on both sides where they are until we work out details in the fusion cell", the U.S. official said, describing the U.S. plan.
- A U.S. official said each side would send representatives to the fusion cell to focus on diplomatic talks, military, intelligence and commercial ties.
- "The fusion cell will be the engine of the process and the U.S. will be the 24/7 intermediary", the U.S. official said.
The intrigue: The proposal for a demilitarized economic zone resembles a similar proposal the Trump administration made to form such a zone in Donbas to solve the territorial issue between Ukraine and Russia
- "This economic zone will include wind farms, agriculture, the best ski mountain in the Middle East and the Druze community that is the best at hospitality," the U.S. official said.
- The U.S. official added that regional partners have already committed to finance it, but declined to name any countries.
The Israeli negotiating team included Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter; Netanyahu's military secretary, Roman Gofman; and Acting National Security Adviser Gil Reich.
- The Syrian team included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Intelligence Chief Hussein Salameh.
What they're saying: The State Department issued a joint U.S.-Israeli-Syrian statement after the meeting stressing the discussions "centered on respect for Syria's sovereignty and stability, Israel's security, and prosperity for both countries."
- The statement stressed that Israel and Syria "reaffirmed their commitment" to reach a "lasting security arrangement."
- "Both Sides have decided to establish a joint fusion mechanism — a dedicated communication cell — to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination on their intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States," the joint statement read.
- "This mechanism will serve as a platform to address any disputes promptly and work to prevent misunderstandings."
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that "Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats along its borders."
- "It was agreed to continue the dialogue to advance the shared objectives and to safeguard the security of the Druze minority in Syria."
