On the road between Damascus and Beirut, Israel finds itself in diplomatic intersecti

Still, both are eager to keep talking. The Syrian delegation has not demanded the return of the Golan as a precondition for negotiations, and Israel consistently clarifies that its airstrikes in Syria target only Iranian or Hezbollah assets.

Neither side has disclosed the location of the talks. Al-Sharaa, under pressure during an interview, admitted to a “non-direct dialogue” with Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar went further, describing it as “direct dialogue.”

A source told news agencies over the weekend that Syria’s intelligence chief, Hussein Salameh—who joined al-Sharaa’s recent trip to Azerbaijan at the last minute—was expected to meet with a senior Israeli official. Rumors suggest it wouldn’t be their first meeting.

With the Golan issue set aside for now, there are few major roadblocks to continued talks. Lebanon, however, remains a tougher case. Hezbollah hasn’t disappeared; it continues recruiting and training and refuses to give up its role.

Still, Aoun and Salam appear determined to regain control. The Lebanese army has been sent to collect weapons in southern villages and Hezbollah fighters are no longer roaming the streets of Beirut to intimidate civilians.

The average Lebanese citizen, much like his Syrian counterpart, wants peace—not out of love for Israel, but out of sheer economic desperation. Both countries are in crisis and Israel is seen as a potential partner to deliver food, construction materials and aid. Syria and Lebanon desperately need help.