Israel is navigating a thorny but potentially rewarding path to peace with its northern neighbors, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Sunday, he announced that talks with Syria are making progress and that a peaceful resolution with Lebanon is now possible, all as a result of the recent conflict with Hezbollah.
The path with Syria, a country technically at war with Israel since 1948, has been cleared by the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. The new government in Damascus has shown a willingness to negotiate directly, with one official suggesting that security and military agreements could be finalized by the end of 2025.
The Lebanese path is more complex, littered with the thorns of Hezbollah’s influence. Israel continues to strike the group despite a ceasefire, while the U.S. pushes the Lebanese government to undertake the politically sensitive task of disarmament. Beirut has now taken the first step, ordering its army to prepare for this mission.
“Our victories… have opened a window for… peace,” Netanyahu stated, acknowledging that this path was opened by military force. He characterized the Syrian talks as having made “some progress,” but also warned that the journey to a final agreement is “still a long way off.”
Despite the difficulties, there are signs of movement. Syria’s new leadership is negotiating an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas in exchange for a demilitarized buffer zone. Lebanon has committed to a three-month timeline to begin disarming Hezbollah forces along the Israeli border, a crucial first step on its own difficult path.
A Thorny Path to Peace: Israel Navigates Talks with Syria, Lebanon
