Al-Sharaa says security framework with Israel could lead to ‘peace’

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa indicated on Sunday that a security agreement with Israel is being developed, which could potentially lead to normalization between the two nations. Speaking on Al Jazeera, al-Sharaa stated, “If the security agreement succeeds, and Israel commits to the security side, and Syria does as well, along with all the conditions of the agreement that may be concluded later, this would qualify for a second stage of talks about a comprehensive peace, without conceding Syria’s right to the occupied Golan [Heights].” Israel currently holds a strip of the Syrian Golan Heights for security against jihadist groups, having taken over a narrow, commanding terrain after the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime in December 2024. It was not clear if the agreement would involve an Israeli withdrawal from this area. Al-Sharaa also affirmed Damascus's non-aggression stance toward Israel and its intention not to intervene militarily in Lebanon.