Syria Demands Return of One-Third of Golan Heights in Exchange for Peace with Israel

Watan-Israel’s i24NEWS channel reported on Thursday, citing a source close to Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, that Syria is demanding Israel hand over no less than one-third of the Golan Heights—occupied since 1967—as part of any potential political settlement between the two countries. The source emphasized that “there is no such thing as free peace.”

According to the report, the return of parts of the Golan is deemed essential to gain Syrian public support for any agreement, warning that al-Sharaa may face “significant internal resistance” if this demand is not met.

The source outlined two possible scenarios for a settlement:

• Scenario 1: Israel retains strategic areas totaling one-third of the Golan, hands over another third to Syria, and leases the remaining third for 25 years.

• Scenario 2: Israel keeps two-thirds of the Golan and returns the remaining third to Syria, with the option of leasing it back, in exchange for a broader deal involving the transfer of Tripoli and other areas in northern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley to Syrian sovereignty.

The source claimed that Syria demands the inclusion of Tripoli, viewing it as one of five areas separated from Syria during the French Mandate to form modern Lebanon. The broader deal would also include other Sunni-majority areas in Lebanon.

According to the report, Syria’s proposals also include allowing Israel to extend a water pipeline from the Euphrates River into Israeli territory, within a water-sharing agreement involving Syria, Turkey, and Israel.

The source added that the new Syrian president has shown “unprecedented openness” and initiated direct communication channels with Israel for security and military coordination in southern Syria. However, he stressed that the lifting of U.S. sanctions “cannot be seen as an Israeli concession for peace” as it follows a separate track.