Everything we know about US-backed demilitarised zone proposal for Syria and Israel

Washington has proposed the creation of a demilitarised economic zone between Syria and Israel, alongside a joint security coordination mechanism, following US-mediated talks in Paris aimed at reducing escalating tensions along the border.

The proposal comes as Israel expanded its military operations inside Syrian territory following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, while the new government has sought a framework that would curb Israeli strikes and restore previously agreed security arrangements.

What was discussed during the Paris talks?

According to officials briefed on the discussions, Syrian and Israeli representatives met in Paris this week in talks mediated by Washington, marking the latest round in intermittent negotiations over a new security framework.

The talks resulted in an agreement on establishing a joint mechanism to manage security coordination, prevent escalation and address disputes, with US officials describing the discussions as unusually candid and focused on cooperation rather than confrontation.

The negotiations were facilitated by the US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, alongside senior advisers to US President Donald Trump.

What is the proposed coordination mechanism?

At the heart of the proposal is the creation of a joint US-Israeli-Syrian coordination unit, to be based in the Jordanian capital, Amman, that would establish protocols between the two parties to ease tensions.

The cell would oversee the security situation in southern Syria and serve as the venue for follow-up talks on disarmament, Israeli troop movements and confidence-building measures.

Each party would appoint representatives, with the United States acting as a continuous mediator.

US officials said the mechanism would also manage intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial discussions, and resolve disputes before they escalate into violence.

Israel has launched a wave of attacks on Syrian towns and villages in the south of the country, killing dozens of civilians and military, while surprise Israeli raids into Syrian territory have sparked clashes with armed locals and Syrian troops.

What would happen to military activity under the plan?

Under the proposal, military activity by both sides would be frozen at current positions while detailed arrangements are negotiated through the coordination cell.

While discussions would include Israeli withdrawals from areas entered after December 2024, the proposal does not explicitly commit Israel to halting air strikes or to restoring the 1974 disengagement agreement, which Israel declared void following Assad’s removal.

Since then, Israeli forces have repeatedly struck Syrian military sites, including ministry buildings in Damascus, and pushed into the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights.

What is the demilitarised economic zone being proposed?

Alongside the security mechanism, Washington has proposed establishing a demilitarised economic zone spanning both sides of the border.

US officials said the zone would include agricultural projects, wind energy installations, and a major tourism development, including a ski resort. The economic component is framed as a stabilisation tool, intended to support security arrangements by creating incentives for calm.

Regional partners have pledged funding for the project, according to US officials, though no countries have been publicly identified.

What does Syria want from the talks?

Syria's new leadership, headed by interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, has prioritised restoring Syrian sovereignty and ending Israeli military operations inside the country.

Damascus is pushing for the reactivation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions held before December 2024, while rejecting long-term demilitarisation of southern Syria as an infringement on sovereignty.

Syrian officials have also warned that continued Israeli strikes and incursions are undermining efforts to stabilise the country and attract investment following the lifting of US sanctions.

What is Israel seeking to achieve?

Israeli officials have framed their position around security concerns, calling for a demilitarised zone south of Damascus and citing the alleged protection of Syria's Druze minority as a justification for intervention.

Israel has also sought to expand its influence in southern Syria by cultivating ties with local actors opposed to the new government in Damascus, particularly Druze militias, while warning against "extremist threats" despute the Syrian government's own operations against IS.

Israel is also seeking to counter growing Turkish influence in Syria and maintain long-term leverage along its northern frontier.

What does Washington want from the process?

For Washington, the proposal reflects a broader effort to contain instability, prevent renewed Iranian influence in Syria and reduce the risk of a wider regional conflict.

The US also views a stable, centralised Syrian government as key to combating the Islamic State and potentially enabling a future reduction of US troop deployments in eastern Syria.

President Trump has also expressed interest in expanding regional normalisation efforts under the so-called Abraham Accords, though Syrian officials have publicly ruled out joining them.

What are the doubts surrounding the proposal?

Despite the diplomatic momentum, scepticism remains over whether the mechanism can deliver meaningful change on the ground.

A similar security mechanism established after the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had failed to prevent continued Israeli strikes or secure troop withdrawals, raising questions about enforcement.

Syrian officials have signalled they would not move forward on sensitive security issues without a clear, enforceable timeline for Israeli withdrawal from territory seized since December 2024.

For the proposal to succeed, the United States would need to exert sustained pressure on Israel, a step Washington has historically been reluctant to take.

What role does the Golan Heights play?

Israel has illegally occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and has shown no willingness to return the territory to Damascus.

Following Assad's fall, Israeli forces expanded their presence and seized strategic areas, including Jabal al-Sheikh.

For now, Syrian officials appear focused on reversing Israel's post-December 2024 advances rather than reopening negotiations over the Golan itself.