Syria · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Ahmad Al-Sharaa Says Syria-Israel Talks Reached Nearly 90% Agreement Before Israel Withdrew
Syria-Israel talks nearly 90% agreed on security framework before Israel withdrew. Negotiations had been ongoing for about a year prior to withdrawal.
16 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib Urges Residents Not To Approach Al-Ays Explosion Site →
8 of 10 outlets skipped it: sharaa blamed Israel policy as illogical post-October 7.
16outlets compared
90% Security Framework
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria and Israel had nearly reached 90% agreement in negotiations on a security framework before Israel withdrew or introduced additional conditions. Al-Sharaa said direct talks began about a year ago, and Damascus first demanded that Israel withdraw to the lines it held in 1974 before any discussion of security arrangements.
Al-Sharaa insisted that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory under the recognition of the United Nations, and he said there is “no discussion about that territory and to whom it belongs.” Al-Sharaa said Damascus would only move toward lasting peace after protecting the security and rights of Syrians, adding, “We are not saying that there will be lasting peace right now between Syria and Israel, but we need to protect the security and the rights of Syrians before we can talk about peace.”
October 7 and Gaza
Al-Sharaa told an Atlantic Council panel that it was not appropriate for the events of October 7 to set Israel policy for Syria, calling the idea “not logical” and saying it “brings more security threats.” Al-Sharaa said he understood what some innocents faced after October 7, but he rejected taking those events as the basis for all policies toward Syria.
Al-Sharaa said it was necessary to understand what happened in Gaza, and he pointed to “more than 70,000 people” killed, including “many women and children.” Al-Sharaa also argued that regional stability helps everyone, including Israelis, feel secure, and he called for mutual respect and economic and commercial relations.
Bases, Trump, and Stakes
Al-Sharaa said Syria seeks to ensure there are no foreign military bases in Syria and that sovereignty is fully for the Syrian state.
Al-Sharaa said the new authorities inherited the Russian presence upon arriving in Damascus and chose dialogue with Moscow, reducing the number of Russian bases “from about 170 to two bases.”
Al-Sharaa said the two remaining Russian bases were converted into two bases for training the Syrian army, and he said any future military presence must be described legally by a text approved by the People’s Assembly.
Al-Sharaa said he told U.S. President Donald Trump, “Why not give New Jersey to the Israelis? You do not own the Golan to give it to them, but you own New Jersey,” and he added that no Syrian president or American president has the right to relinquish or grant the Golan.