Overview

• Ronen Dermer is expected to brief Benjamin Netanyahu on concessions Washington is urging to advance a security understanding with Syria, according to Israeli media cited by Sky News Arabia.
• Netanyahu said contacts with Damascus have inched forward yet major gaps persist over core issues.
• Israel seeks to retain positions captured after December 8, including on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, while Syria demands full sovereignty, a pullout from the south, and an end to Israeli airstrikes under UN oversight.
• U.S. efforts are focused on narrowing differences, with reports pointing to a potential—though not final—announcement on the sidelines of this week’s UN gathering in New York.
• Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom formally recognized the State of Palestine today, prompting Netanyahu to warn he will fight such moves and far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to issue hardline calls regarding the West Bank.