Syria Calls for Binding Timeline on Israeli Withdrawal to Resume Talks
A new and significant condition has been laid down in the fragile diplomatic process between Syria and Israel. According to a Syrian official, future progress on any major “strategic files” is now contingent on one non-negotiable prerequisite: a clear, binding timeline for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territory.
The official, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, stated that without such a guaranteed schedule for Israeli forces to leave lands seized after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, negotiations cannot move forward. This declaration follows the latest round of U.S.-brokered talks held in Paris this Monday and Tuesday.
The Syrian side reported that the Paris meetings concluded with a notable U.S. initiative: a proposal to suspend all Israeli military activities against Syria. However, from Damascus’s perspective, a cessation of hostilities, while potentially welcome, is insufficient. The core demand remains the full restoration of territorial sovereignty through a concrete and enforceable withdrawal plan.
Israel’s Defense Ministry has not yet offered a public response to this specific demand or to the reported U.S. suspension proposal. This silence leaves a critical question hanging over the nascent talks. Is Israel prepared to discuss a binding withdrawal, or will this new condition become an insurmountable obstacle?
The Syrian stance marks a sharpening of its negotiating position, shifting focus from broader security discussions to the fundamental issue of occupation. It places the ball firmly in Israel’s court and tests the mediating capacity of the United States. The call for a binding timeline transforms the dialogue from abstract talks about future stability into a concrete negotiation over land and sovereignty—historically the most contentious issues in any conflict.
For the talks to resume with any hope of addressing deeper strategic concerns, the international community now watches to see if a pathway can be found that addresses Syria’s demand for guaranteed withdrawal while meeting Israel’s undisclosed security requirements. The Paris round may have paused the guns, but it has ignited a formidable new diplomatic challenge.
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