What Syria and Israel’s new communications cell really signals
The deal reached in Paris under US mediation reflects a rare step toward managing tensions but stops short of halting Israeli military strikes or producing a broader security pact.
The establishment of a joint Israeli-Syrian communications cell marks a shift in how two long-hostile states will manage friction, highlighting US efforts to stabilize Syria’s borders and constrain escalation without addressing the deeper disputes driving the conflict.
What happened: Israel and Syria agreed on Tuesday to establish a joint communications cell, a rare diplomatic step between two countries that have no formal diplomatic ties and have been in a state of hostility for decades.
The agreement was announced in a joint statement released by the US State Department following security talks in Paris mediated by US envoy Tom Barrack.
“Both sides have decided to establish a joint fusion mechanism — a dedicated communication cell — to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination on their intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States,” the statement said.
