Israel’s northern border is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shifting from a landscape of proxy wars to one of direct peace talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this change on Sunday, attributing it to the success of Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy.
For decades, the primary conflict with Syria was fought through proxies like Hezbollah. The fall of the Assad regime, a key part of this proxy network, has allowed for direct, state-to-state negotiations. A Syrian official has confirmed that these talks aim to produce a security agreement by the end of 2025.
In Lebanon, the goal is to end the proxy war by eliminating the proxy. Israel continues to strike Hezbollah, while the U.S. pressures the Lebanese state to assert its sovereignty. This has led to the Lebanese government’s historic decision to begin disarming the Iran-backed militia.
“Our victories in Lebanon against Hezbollah have opened a window for… peace,” Netanyahu stated, explicitly linking the defeat of the proxy to the rise of diplomacy. He confirmed that this new reality has led to “some progress” in talks with the Syrian state.
This transformation is not just a change in tactics; it’s a fundamental shift in the nature of the conflict. The move from fighting proxies to negotiating with states is evident in Syria’s willingness to discuss a demilitarized zone and Lebanon’s plan to disarm Hezbollah. It’s a new era of direct engagement.