The Middle East may be witnessing a genuine breakthrough moment, with Israel now seemingly on the cusp of a historic northern peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that the war with Hezbollah has created an unprecedented opening, leading to active peace negotiations with Syria and creating a viable path to an agreement with Lebanon.
This sense of a breakthrough is most palpable with Syria. The political earthquake of the Assad regime’s collapse has opened a diplomatic fissure that both sides are now exploring. A Syrian official has stated that they hope these explorations will lead to a solid agreement on security by the end of the year.
In Lebanon, the breakthrough is the government’s decision to finally cross the political Rubicon and confront the issue of Hezbollah’s arms. While a long road lies ahead, this first step is a crucial break from the past and a key component of any potential peace.
Netanyahu captured the excitement of this potential moment. “The possibility of peace with our northern neighbours… was not even imagined before,” he told his cabinet. He confirmed that this breakthrough has already led to “some progress” with Syria.
If this moment is seized, the results could be transformative. A demilitarized border with Syria and a Lebanon where the state holds a monopoly on force would not just be a breakthrough, but the beginning of a new and peaceful era for the region.