Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held a meeting on Sunday to defuse tensions between their countries after Israel’s strike last week on a Syrian airbase, Syrian state media confirmed.

The two met in Jordan, two sources told AFP, adding that they discussed issues such as establishing “a special operations room” in Jordan under US supervision to prevent any confrontation in Syria, including involving Turkey.

Citing three sources with knowledge of the matter, the Axios news site reported that the meeting was aimed at “lowering the temperature,” following the escalating rhetoric between the two sides.

Israel’s Channel 12 news reported that the sitdown was positive in nature and was considered a step toward restarting direct Jerusalem-Damascus negotiations. The network said the meeting was supposed to take place last week, but was pushed off because of the Israeli strike.

The Trump administration strongly pushed for the meeting, seeking a de-escalation between Israel, Syria and Turkey ahead of the upcoming Israeli election, Channel 12 said.

The TV network also reported that Israel’s security establishment is pushing politicians to follow through on diplomatic efforts to lower the flames, preferring that to a potential military escalation.

Citing an Israeli security source, Channel 12 said Jerusalem has set a number of red lines for such talks, including not allowing any Turkish military activity in Syria; keeping the Syrian side of the Golan Heights a demilitarized zone; not allowing the Syrian army to possess strategic weapons systems; ensuring the security of Syria’s Druze community; and only withdrawing Israeli troops from the buffer zone in which they are currently posted in exchange for diplomatic achievements.

The meeting came after tensions between Jerusalem and Damascus and Ankara rose sharply last week following an IDF strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria. Israel accused Damascus of preparing to allow Turkish forces to deploy there. Syria denounced the strike and Turkey denied the........

© The Times of Israel