Israeli PM signals readiness for diplomacy with Damascus amid shifting alliances, eyes updated security pact and eventual normalization.By David Brummer, World Israel NewsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is exploring the possibility of U.S.-mediated negotiations with Syria’s new leadership, Axios reported this week, citing two Israeli officials familiar with the matter.The overture marks Israel’s first indication of renewed diplomatic interest in Damascus since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011. According to the report, Netanyahu raised the prospect of talks during a recent meeting in Jerusalem with Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Syria.Israel’s shift comes on the heels of major regional changes, particularly the rise of Islamist leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who replaced the Assad regime earlier this year. Netanyahu is said to be aiming for a revised security framework that could lay the groundwork for a formal peace agreement.Israeli officials initially viewed al-Sharaa with skepticism, citing his ties to Turkey. However, that stance has softened following al-Sharaa’s high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia and Washington’s subsequent decision to lift sanctions on Damascus.The two sides have since moved from indirect communication via intermediaries to direct discussions in neutral locations. A senior Israeli official told Axios that al-Sharaa appears more independent from Ankara than previously believed and could offer a “credible channel” for engagement.During Barrack’s visit, he toured the Golan Heights, where Israeli forces now occupy several former Syrian military positions. One official said Netanyahu sees a “historic opportunity” to pursue normalization, citing signals from Damascus about openness to closer ties with the West.Initial talks are expected to focus on a non-aggression pact, with the possibility of progressing toward a comprehensive peace deal. Any agreement would likely build on the 1974 disengagement accords, adjusted for current realities. Key Israeli demands reportedly include guarantees that Iranian, Hezbollah, or Turkish forces will not be allowed to reestablish a presence in Syria.Israeli officials are also weighing the inclusion of U.S. troops alongside UN forces to help monitor future border arrangements. The fate of the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981 and internationally disputed, remains unresolved but could be open for negotiation under the new leadership in Damascus.While neither Netanyahu’s office nor Barrack commented on the report, a U.S. official confirmed that Israel’s strategic red lines were clearly communicated during the visit.The post Netanyahu seeks U.S.-brokered peace talks with Syria’s new regime appeared first on World Israel News.