Latest news with #TzachiHanegbi
Al Mayadeen
7 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Syria's al-Sharaa met Israeli security official in UAE: Exclusive
Diplomatic sources have revealed to Al Mayadeen that Syrian interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa held a secret meeting on Wednesday with the Israeli occupation's National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegbi, in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. The high-level encounter was reportedly coordinated directly by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. According to the sources, both al-Sharaa and Hanegbi arrived in Abu Dhabi aboard separate flights that landed at nearly the same time. The meeting, which took place in the city, marks what the sources described as 'a significant development' in the ongoing clandestine normalization negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv. The sources further disclosed that a degree of coordination has been developing between certain new security agencies in Damascus and the Israeli occupation. One of the key outcomes of the meeting, according to the sources, was a concession offered by al-Sharaa regarding the occupied Syrian Golan Heights in exchange for international backing to secure his position in power. Ongoing negotiations reportedly include the establishment of three demilitarized zones in southern Syria, covering Daraa, Quneitra, and As-Suweida provinces. These zones would see the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from military barracks, and any Syrian army or police units operating in those areas would be limited to using light arms only. Israeli media also reported that a Syrian businessman and political activist recently visited the Knesset, allegedly delivering a message from al-Sharaa expressing interest in normalization with the Israeli occupation. The businessman was quoted as saying al-Sharaa believes the region is witnessing 'opportunities that come only once in a century.' This comes just days after al-Sharaa's official visit to the United Arab Emirates on July 7 to meet with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed. It also coincides with the arrival of US envoy Tom Barrack to Syria on Wednesday afternoon, following his recent visit to Lebanon. Syria is demanding the return of at least one-third of the Golan Heights territory occupied by "Israel" prior to the 1974 armistice agreement, according to a source close to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who spoke to i24NEWS on Thursday. "There is no such thing as peace for free," the source said, outlining two potential scenarios for a political settlement. The first scenario, the official indicated, would see "Israel" retaining strategic areas equivalent to one-third of the Golan Heights and handing over a third to Syria. The remaining third is leased to "Israel" by Syria for 25 years. Read more: 'Israel', Syria discuss security agreement against Hezbollah, Iran According to the Syrian official, the second scenario would see "Israel" keeping two-thirds of the occupied Golan Heights and handing over one-third to Syria, with the possibility of leasing it. Under this scenario, the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli and possibly additional Lebanese territories, including the Beqaa Valley, would be handed over to Syria, the official revealed. The source said that Syria aims to "reclaim sovereignty" over Tripoli, which it considers one of five regions detached from Syria to form the Lebanese state during the French Mandate, pointing out that the return of these areas, including other northern Lebanese regions, should be part of a comprehensive agreement. As part of the broader settlement, Syria is proposing a regional water agreement involving Turkey, Syria, and "Israel". This would allow "Israel" to extend a pipeline to transport water from the Euphrates River.
LBCI
10-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
As Israel and Syria talk peace, Mount Hermon becomes a line in the sand—the details
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar While Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi was discussing the Syrian file with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the United Arab Emirates, parallel negotiations were intensifying in Washington toward a security agreement that could serve as a preliminary step to a broader peace deal between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Israeli army has established control over new positions atop Mount Hermon, using the strategic location to shape its future plans and impose new facts on the ground. In addition to carving out a road for military activity in the area, the army revealed it has been conducting operations over the past eight months aimed at solidifying Israel's hold on the mountain—operations that, according to Israeli sources, reinforce the country's unwillingness to relinquish the territory in any future peace agreement. A commander from Israel's Alpine Unit 711 confirmed that these activities go beyond fortification. The military has conducted exercises simulating the infiltration of 3,000 fighters from Syria and Lebanon through Mount Hermon to carry out attacks on Israeli territory. The inclusion of Lebanon in this scenario is not coincidental. Israeli officials continue to cite what they call 'the growing security threat' from the north, using it as leverage in ongoing negotiations. Mount Hermon, known as Jabal al-Sheikh, remains one of the most strategically sensitive areas of the Golan Heights, lying at the intersection of the Israeli-Syrian-Lebanese borders. It has emerged as a major sticking point in negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv. Israel seeks to retain the mountaintop as a strategic asset, while Syria refuses to concede it under any future security arrangement. Negotiators from both countries are reportedly working on a deal that could involve a partial Israeli withdrawal from certain towns in southern Syria. However, multiple Israeli security officials have confirmed that the Golan Heights—and specifically Mount Hermon—will not be part of the agreement, despite suggestions that progress on a limited deal may be imminent.
LBCI
09-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel explores normalization with Syria, despite challenges—could this mark a turning point in Mideast relations?
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian With advanced steps toward expanding the Abraham Accords and including Syria, and while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in tough negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to stop the Gaza war, conflicting Israeli reports have emerged about talks in Abu Dhabi on Sunday between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi. Israel did not deny the news. While some officials confirmed the meeting took place, others claimed Hanegbi did not meet al-Sharaa but met with security officials instead. Meanwhile, the Maariv newspaper reported that Hanegbi's trip to Abu Dhabi on Sunday delayed the departure of the "Wing of Zion" plane carrying U.S. officials to Washington by three hours. An Israeli report revealed direct contacts between Damascus and Tel Aviv through four channels personally overseen by Hanegbi, one of which involved Syrian security entities. The second channel of talks was supervised by Mossad head David Barnea. The third channel involved Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who previously said that Israel has an interest in an agreement with Syria, but the cornerstone of any agreement is Damascus' recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The fourth channel, also essential, involves officers from the Israeli army and Syrian security entities. In response to the stir caused by reports of the Hanegbi-Al-Sharaa meeting, a senior Israeli official briefed political reporters, saying normalization with Syria poses major challenges. The official stated that the success of the military strike on Iran, in which the United States participated, created a unique opportunity to change the face of the Middle East, including reaching agreements with Syria and Lebanon.
LBCI
09-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israeli officials confirm secret meeting between Tzachi Hanegbi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Abu Dhabi: LBCI correspondent
LBCI's correspondent in Haifa, Amal Shehadeh, reported that two Israeli officials have confirmed a meeting between Israel's National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Abu Dhabi. The sources indicated that the unexpected three-hour delay in the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane was likely linked to this meeting.
Fox News
26-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump's crown jewel Abraham Accords may expand to normalize ties between Israel and other nations
JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump's signature Middle East agreement — the Abraham Accords — which normalized relations between Israel and Sunni Gulf States and North African countries, might absorb new candidates, according to Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East. "We think we will have some pretty big announcements on countries that are coming into the Abraham Accords," Witkoff told CNBC in an interview on Wednesday. One of the largest Hebrew-language outlets, Israel Hayom, reported Tuesday that Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi believes those countries are Syria and Lebanon as the top Middle East states who could join the Abraham Accords. According to Israel Hayom, Hanegbi disclosed during a classified meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel maintains direct dialogue with Syria's new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of the U.S.-designated terrorist movements, the Islamic State and al Qaeda. Middle East expert Eugene Kontorovich, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital, "With Iran humiliated, Lebanon and Syria are quite realistic, but I would be impressed if it were soon as in months. I do expect them to make peace with Israel and come into the Abraham Accords during Trump's term." He added that "Syria could be possible simply because the new government has so much to gain, as it seeks legitimacy." Witkoff's teasing of an expansion of the Abraham Accords has electrified the Israeli media and veteran Middle East observers. In May, Trump asked Syrian President al-Sharaa to fully normalize relations with Israel in exchange for sanctions relief. "The barriers of entry for expanding the Abraham Accords are incredibly low. It will not surprise me if President Trump expands the Accords within his second term," Robert Greenway, former senior director for the National Security Council and key architect of the Abraham Accords, told Maria Bartiromo, on "Mornings With Maria" on FOX Business. After the completion of the Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan in 2020, there was a growing expectation among U.S. officials and Middle East experts that Saudi Arabia would follow suit. In February, Fox News Digital reported that Trump administration officials said the White House was seeking an expansion of the Abraham Accords. The Biden administration faced criticism for failing to expand the Abraham Accords and for picking fights with states who made peace with Israel as part of the landmark agreement. Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the Israeli prime minister's office and the country's foreign affairs ministry for comment.
