Israel finds itself at a monumental moment. For all of its 77 years of existence, Lebanon and Syria have been enemies. Israel’s northern borders have been an area of huge instability, with Hezbollah controlling southern Lebanon and Syria, under the guise of the Assad regime, at war with Israel, and also serving as a corridor for Iran’s regional ambitions.
But today, nearly a year after the ceasefire agreement that ended last year’s conflict with Hezbollah, an unprecedented opportunity is still in front of the Jewish state. The two adversaries are signaling openness to a different relationship with Israel, and it is imperative that Jerusalem grasp the opportunity with both hands.
Recent developments paint a picture of dramatic regional movement. On Thursday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly declared his country’s willingness to partner with Israel in curtailing Hezbollah’s power, even requesting American assistance in negotiations.
“I repeat the same offer of readiness to negotiate with Israel,” Salam said.
The following day, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun reinforced this message, announcing Beirut’s readiness to negotiate an end to Israeli strikes in exchange for IDF withdrawal from five military outposts in Lebanese territory, with Lebanese forces prepared to deploy in their place.
For decades, Lebanon has been the poster boy of Middle East instability. This allowed Hezbollah to sweep into the vacuum and take the hearts and minds of young residents.
For the country’s leadership to openly discuss cooperation against Hezbollah represents a massive shift in the internal political dynamics of Lebanon. The organization that once operated as an untouchable state-within-a-state, dragging the country into conflicts serving Iranian interests, now faces disempowerment by its own government.
Hezbollah's weakening gave Lebanon gov't to reassert its sovereignty
The heavy losses Hezbollah sustained in leadership and elite fighters during last year’s war with Israel have clearly weakened its domestic position, creating space for the legitimate government to reassert its own sovereignty.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s surprise visit to southern Syria on Wednesday is another sign that things may be changing. Touring IDF positions alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior officials, Netanyahu sent an unmistakable signal about Israel’s determination to shape the security environment across its northern frontier.
While Damascus predictably condemned the visit as violating Syrian sovereignty, Netanyahu’s subsequent comments to the security cabinet on Friday reveal how delicate the Israeli hand is. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shaara has returned from a meeting with US President Donald Trump, where he was heralded as the future of Syria, and his past role as an al-Qaeda terrorist was brushed under the table.
Netanyahu accused Sharaa of acting irrationally since meeting Trump, noting that Sharaa “came back inflated” from Washington.
The triangular dynamic among Israel, Lebanon, and Syria presents both opportunities and challenges. Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah infrastructure, striking launchers and weapons facilities in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah has failed to disarm or integrate into the Lebanese state as required.
This unsustainable status quo cannot persist indefinitely, and the fact that even the Lebanese are getting fed up with Hezbollah publicly should give Israel impetus.
Lebanon’s willingness to negotiate offers a path forward. Salam correctly referenced the successful American-mediated maritime border agreement from two years ago as a model – and one only needs to look at the turning point in the Gaza war.
US pressure on Qatar and Turkey, it would seem, finally made Hamas realize the game is up. If Washington commits to facilitating Israel-Lebanese talks, Hezbollah’s role in Lebanese society should finally be over.
Regarding Syria, Israel’s interests are more straightforward but no less complicated. Preventing Iranian influence, blocking weapons transfers to Hezbollah, and maintaining the ability to strike any terrorist infrastructure remain paramount.
The presence of Russian delegations near the Syrian-Israeli border, as Netanyahu confirmed, adds more spice to the mix, as does that of the role of Turkey. Moscow’s potential role as a mediator or spoiler will significantly influence outcomes.
Turkey has also spent the best part of a decade encroaching on Syrian territory, and Israel is wary of Ankara’s designs in the region. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is no friend of the Jewish state.
These opportunities along Israel’s northern border demand strategic boldness from our leader alongside caution. Israel faces a rare meeting where military strength, regional upheaval, and diplomatic openings have aligned. Two governments that have long served as platforms for Iranian aggression now signal a willingness for different relationships, and Israel should jump at this opportunity.