Israel Syria

Reporter’s Notebook: The threat along Syrian buffer zone is far from over for Israel

For now, there appears to be little appetite to withdraw from the buffer zone, largely because of lingering questions over whether Syria’s new president is truly capable of controlling the country.

The Israel Ministry of Defense’s National Mine Action Authority (INMAA) clears minefields with the assistance of sappers from 4M Defense Mine Solutions in the northern Golan Heights near the Syrian border, April 28, 2026.
 (L-R) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the backdrop of Syrian and Israeli flags (illustrative)

US believes Israel-Syria normalization chances before Knesset elections 'very slim,' source to Post

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa gestures outside 10 Downing Street, after meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in London, Britain March 31, 2026.

Israel refused normalization with Syria at last minute, says Al-Sharaa

‘AN INTERIM agreement that could one day make it possible to sip hot chocolate in a lodge at the base of a bunny hill on the Syrian half of Mount Hermon is something that may be within reach.’ Here, the first snow this winter hits Mount Hermon in Syria, as seen from the northern Golan Heights, near

Donald Trump reimagines Israel's border with Syria, from buffer zones to bunny slopes


Syrian presidency announces comprehensive ceasefire after fighting in Druze area

A Syrian military official said correspondence with the US had led Damascus to believe it could deploy forces to Sweida without Israel confronting them.

 Smoke rises as a damaged car remains along a street, as Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and factions from the Druze, at Sweida governorate, Syria, July 18, 2025.

Israel at War day 651: What's going on in Syria, Yemen?

Israeli-Druze group crosses border into Syria • Netanyahu tells pope hostage talks progressing • Hamas claims it proposed releasing all hostages • IDF confirms deaths of four terrorists in Gaza

 Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas and mourners attend the funeral of Al-Qassam fighters who were killed during the war between Israel and Hamas in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, February 28, 2025.

Syrian detente hopes dim as president accuses Israel of sowing ‘chaos and destruction’ with strikes

“The Israeli entity resorted to a wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities,” Shaara said the situation was easing with the intervention of the US, Arab, and Turkish mediators.

 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, July 16, 2025.

Rubio: US has engaged with all parties in Syria clashes, agreed on steps to end situation

Rubio said that steps must be taken by "all parties to deliver on commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do."

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes part in a media briefing during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 10, 2025.

Will Israel’s airstrikes help the Druze in Syria? - analysis

Israel’s intervention escalated with more airstrikes and officials' comments, raising questions about what might come next and if the limited intervention will help the Druze.

 Syrian security forces stand together, following deadly clashes between Sunni fighters against armed Druze residents, at the entrance of Jaramana, Syria May 5, 2025.

Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida after agreement with local leaders, IDF strikes regime targets

Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.

 Syrian forces enter Sweida as Druze leader says truce talks underway on July 15, 2025.

Where is Hanegbi? Conflicting reports cast doubts over Israel-Syria peace talks

Arab media reports that Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israeli officials say he is in the US with Netanyahu.

NATIONAL SECURITY Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi issues a statement to the media in Tel Aviv, in late October. Just days before the October 7 attacks, he said in an interview: ‘Hamas is very, very restrained and understands the implications of further defiance.’

Golan leaders demand recognition in possible Abraham Accords expansion with Syria

“While we welcome real peace efforts, we are very clear: any future agreement must recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan,” leaders in the Golan Heights noted in a press release.

 Golan Regional Council Governor Ori Kallner and Katzrin Local Council head Yehuda Dua.

The growing ties between Israel, Syria, its possible spread into the Middle East - analysis

Al-Ain speculates that Trump might encourage a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister and the new Syrian president. It is clear that many voices on both sides of the ocean see Syria-Israel ties as

 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

ISIS activity may return in southern Syria amid Israeli incursions - report

Other Syrian opposition groups will reportedly take action against the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the report added, noting feelings of discontent rising among residents in the area.

Overlooking southern Syria from the IDF's military post on Mount Hermon