Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes a grand prize—peace with Israel’s northern neighbors—is now a real prospect. On Sunday, he told his cabinet that the war against Hezbollah, far from creating a permanent state of hostility, has in fact created the conditions for a historic reconciliation with both Lebanon and Syria.
The most promising front is Syria, where the end of the Assad regime’s 50-year rule has allowed for direct peace negotiations to begin. The new government in Damascus is not just talking; a Syrian official has stated they are aiming to finalize security and military deals with Israel by the end of 2025.
In Lebanon, the prize is contingent on the disarmament of Hezbollah. Israel is keeping up military pressure on the group with continued strikes, while the U.S. is leading the diplomatic charge to convince the Lebanese state to take action. This pressure appears to be working, as Beirut has now ordered its army to draw up disarmament plans.
“Our victories in Lebanon against Hezbollah have opened a window for… peace,” Netanyahu declared, framing the military campaign as a strategic enabler of diplomacy. He confirmed talks with Syria were progressing, but also acknowledged that the path to a comprehensive agreement is long.
This pursuit of a northern peace is backed by tangible steps. The new Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is negotiating an Israeli withdrawal from land occupied in recent months. Israel’s main condition is a demilitarized zone, and a Syrian military official has confirmed that heavy weapons have been removed from the area. Lebanon’s foreign minister has also announced a three-month timeline to begin disarming Hezbollah in the south.