Israel and Syria have been in direct contact and have held meetings in recent weeks with the aim of alleviating tensions and preventing conflict in the border area between the two long -term enemies, five people knowing the matter in the matter Reuters.

Contacts have marked a significant development in relations between states that have been in opposing sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, as the US has encouraged young Islamist leaders in Damascus to enter into relations with Israel and Israel relaxes its bombardment.

They are also based on backstage conversations through intermediaries after Islamist guerrillas Hayat Tahrir al-Sam They overturned Syros a strong man Bashar al -Assad In December, two Syrian and two western sources said, as well as a regional source of information that knows the matter.

Sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue to two nations without official ties and a history of hostility.

On the Syrian side, sources reported that the Senior Security Officer led in contacts, Ahmad al-Gardenwho was appointed ruler of the province Railwhich borders with the occupied by Israel Golan Heightsafter the fall of Assad. Earlier this week, Dalat also took over security in the southern province Suede, where the minority of the Drag of Syria.

In a statement to the Syrian government newspaper Ekhbariyathe Dalat stated: “I categorically deny my participation in any immediate negotiations with the Israeli side.”

“The Syrian leadership continues to take all necessary measures to protect the Syrian people and the defense of the domination and unity of the territories of democracy, using all legal means.”

The Reuters He could not determine who was involved on the part of Israel, though two of the sources said they were security officials.

Three of the sources reported that there were several rounds of meetings in the border area, and in areas controlled by Israel.

Earlier this month, the temporary president of Syria, Ahmed al-Saraaconfirmed indirect conversations with Israel, which, he said, were intended to alleviate tensions, with the mediation of the UAE.

Israel holds the Syrian Golan Highlands of the Arab -Israeli War of 1967 and occupied more territories after Assad’s overthrow in December, citing persistent concerns about the extremist past of the country’s new leaders.

It has also conducted an air -bombing campaign that destroyed much of the country’s military infrastructure, while at the same time putting pressure on Washington to keep the country weak and decentralized.

But bombings and criticisms they have retreated In the last few weeks.

On May 14, A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Sarah in Riyadh It has overturned decades of US policy on Syria and signaling the right government of Israel that it should work to achieve consultation with Sarah.

The regional source of information described Trump’s collaboration with Saraa as a crucial part of a US policy restructuring that overturned Israel’s strategy to exploit Syria’s fragmentation after Assad’s overthrow.

Wider agreements

May relative calm has also led to a decrease in tensions around the Suede, where last month there were days of bloody conflict between armed factions of Dragsome of which enjoy Israeli support, and Sunni Muslim fighters.

Israel had launched a series of air raids, including just outside the Presidential Palace overlooking Damascus, which it characterized as Warnings for threats against Drussiansa beach of Islam with supporters in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

While direct talks are currently focusing on joint security, such as conflict prevention and the reduction of Israeli invasions in Syrian border villages, two of the sources said they could help pave the way for wider political agreements.

“At the moment, talks are about peace”said the person who knows the conversations in the backstage.

Trump indicated after meeting with Sarah that Syrian leader was willing to finally normalize relations with Israeladding that it will take some time.

Saraa has not commented on the statement, saying instead that he supported the return to the terms of the 1974 ceasefire agreement that created a UN seat belt in Golan Heights.

Syrian new leaders have repeatedly made efforts to show that they are not a threat to Israel, meeting representatives of the Jewish community in Damascus and abroad and holding two senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihadwho participated in her attack Hamas against Israel On October 7, 2023.

In a letter sent by the Syrian Foreign Ministry to the US Foreign Ministry last month, which was seen by Reuters, it is reported that “We will not allow Syria to become a source of threat to any part, including Israel.”

More recently, the Syrian leadership showed goodwill by approved the tradition of a “treasure” with the existing of the dead Israeli chief Eli Cohen.