Part 8/15:
The territorial context is critical. Israel has maintained a military presence in the south, citing security concerns, especially after the collapse of Assad’s earlier regime. While the official dialogue is limited to security and stability, some experts hint at the possibility of evolving beyond mere arrangements, signaling a cautious but historic step.
Damascus’s Complex Position
Damascus’s stance remains nuanced. Some Syrian officials—possibly influenced by different internal factions—are open to peace, perhaps modeled on the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab states. However, a significant obstacle remains: the heavily charged issue of the Golan Heights, which Israel considers its sovereign territory since 1967, but which Syria demands back.