Israel's Hanegbi leads daily talks with Syria, hints at Golan withdrawal for normalization. Efforts aim to include Syria/Lebanon in Abraham Accords. Historic shift amid secret meetings.

Israeli National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi is personally overseeing direct political and security coordination efforts between Israel and Syria, according to a report published Tuesday by Israel Hayom, marking a rare public acknowledgment of bilateral engagement between the longtime adversaries.

Hanegbi, speaking on behalf of the Israeli government, confirmed that he is leading comprehensive dialogue with Syrian political figures, asserting that communication between the two sides is “daily and conducted at all levels.”

The report suggests that discussions encompass both political and security matters, with Hanegbi expressing optimism that this unprecedented channel of communication may pave the way for Syria and Lebanon to potentially join the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements brokered in recent years between Israel and several Arab nations.

Golan Heights Withdrawal Not Off the Table

When asked whether normalization with Damascus might entail an Israeli withdrawal from the disengagement zone in the occupied Golan Heights, Hanegbi responded, “If a normalization process occurs, we will consider the matter.”

Previous Reports of Covert Meetings

This revelation follows earlier reporting by Reuters in May, which cited five informed sources confirming that Israeli and Syrian officials had held direct, face-to-face meetings in recent weeks. The meetings reportedly aimed to reduce tensions and prevent the outbreak of hostilities along their shared frontier.

While official channels between the two states have long been closed amid decades of hostility, these recent disclosures point to a shift in regional dynamics—particularly amid heightened tensions and evolving alliances in the broader Middle East.