Netanyahu Sets Condition for Peace: Demands Demilitarized Zone from Damascus to the Golan Heights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set a substantial and specific security condition for any potential negotiation track with the Syrian side. He stated that what Israel expects is the establishment of a demilitarized zone stretching from the capital, Damascus, all the way to the buffer zone in the Golan Heights.

Netanyahu added that "a positive approach, by understanding these principles, can lead to reaching an agreement with the Syrians," hinting at a conditional willingness from Israel to open a negotiation channel, provided Syria fully adheres to these radical Israeli security demands.

This statement comes amid continued Israeli escalation in southern Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. Israeli forces have since seized control of the buffer zone in the Golan, an area that was already demilitarized under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military sites and its forces entered the buffer zone last December 8. Back in February 2025, Netanyahu had already demanded "a complete disarmament of Southern Syria" (Daraa, Quneitra, Sweida), warning against allowing the new Syrian Army forces south of Damascus.

Netanyahu's new condition coincides with US President Donald Trump reiterating his warnings to the Israeli government on Monday via a Truth Social post. Trump stressed that it is "highly important" for Israel to maintain a "strong and real dialogue" with Syria. Trump emphasized that "nothing should happen that impedes Syria's transformation into a prosperous state," considering that a long and prosperous relationship between Syria and Israel is possible "through this strong and real dialogue," referencing the US administration's efforts to facilitate a security agreement between the two sides.