U.S. envoy says Syria, Israel close to “de-escalation” deal
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria and Israel are nearing an agreement to halt mutual hostilities, under which Israel would suspend its cross-border attacks in exchange for Damascus refraining from moving heavy military equipment near the border, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York that the arrangement would mark “a first step” toward a broader security deal currently under negotiation between the two countries.
Barrack noted that U.S. President Donald Trump had pushed to announce the deal this week, but said talks have not advanced sufficiently.
He added that progress was also slowed by the Rosh Hashanah holiday, the Jewish New Year, observed this week in Israel.
Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Israel has intensified its air and drone campaigns across Syria, striking positions linked to Iranian forces, Hezbollah, and Syrian military infrastructure.
The Israeli military has justified these operations as preemptive strikes aimed at curbing Iran’s growing influence in the country. Damascus, however, has repeatedly condemned the attacks as violations of its sovereignty.
If finalized, the de-escalation agreement would be the first formal understanding between Syria and Israel since the regime’s collapse, raising cautious hopes of reducing tensions along the volatile border.