Gradual normalization between Israel and Syria under consideration

Relations between Israel and Syria, long frozen by decades of hostility and conflict, may be inching toward a fragile thaw, according to multiple sources familiar with ongoing diplomatic assessments.

Speaking to Israel’s N12 network on Tuesday, sources in Damascus indicated that "relations between the parties are expected to be built gradually," with the first steps possibly emerging before the end of the year. These developments, still in early stages, are reportedly the result of strong American pressure led by President Donald Trump, along with shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East following the Iran-Israel conflict.

One diplomatic source told N12 that "Israel will be required to withdraw from the areas it occupied after the fall of Assad," suggesting that territorial negotiations and security guarantees will likely be key hurdles in any progress.

The atmosphere remains cautious. “The road to normalization is still full of landmines—political and literal,” said another source close to the discussions. Compromises will be expected on all sides, particularly given Syria’s domestic fragility and Israel’s security concerns.

While no official confirmation has come from either Jerusalem or Damascus, analysts see an opening for dialogue, especially as regional actors reposition themselves in the wake of broader shifts in the balance of power.

Should initial confidence-building steps occur in the coming months, it would mark the first tangible progress in Israel–Syria relations in over a decade. But as one insider warned, “this is not a sprint—it's a slow, cautious walk through a minefield."