Syria Proposes Land-Sharing Peace Scenarios with Israel—Tripoli Included in Demands

A source close to Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, told Israel’s i24NEWS that Damascus is demanding the return of at least one-third of the occupied Golan Heights as part of any potential peace agreement with Israel, stressing that “there is no such thing as free peace.”

The source emphasized that regaining parts of the Golan is essential to secure public support within Syria, noting that President Al-Sharaa may face significant domestic resistance if such territorial restitution is not achieved.

Proposed Scenarios for Political Settlement

According to the source, two primary scenarios are currently under consideration for a political resolution between Damascus and Tel Aviv:

• Scenario One: Israel retains one-third of the Golan Heights due to its strategic importance, another third is returned to Syria, and the remaining third is leased from Syria for a period of 25 years.
• Scenario Two: Israel keeps two-thirds of the Golan, while the remaining third is returned to Syria with an option for lease agreements.

In a further component of the plan, Syria is also demanding control over the Lebanese city of Tripoli, along with other areas in northern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. These claims are based on the assertion that these regions were originally part of Syrian territory before the French Mandate, during which they were incorporated into the newly formed Lebanese state.

Water Agreements and Strategic Coordination

As part of its conditions, Damascus is also seeking approval for the construction of a water pipeline from the Euphrates River to Israel, as part of a broader trilateral water agreement involving Syria, Turkey, and Israel.

The source confirmed that President Al-Sharaa has opened direct communication channels with Israel to coordinate security and military matters in southern Syria, describing this step as an effort to lay the groundwork for a potential peace deal.

U.S. Role: Mediation and Development Focus

Separately, The New York Times quoted Thomas Barak, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, as saying that Washington is facilitating dialogue between Syria and Israel, adding that the U.S. currently prioritizes “economic development over state-building” in the Middle East.

Barak also noted that the United States hopes Syria will join the Abraham Accords, but cautioned that the process will take time due to sensitivities within Syria. “President Al-Sharaa cannot appear to have been pressured into such a move,” he said, emphasizing the need for a gradual approach.

Barak concluded by stating that democratic reforms in Syria are not a prerequisite for U.S. engagement at this stage.