ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack said on Wednesday that Syria and Israel are edging close to an agreement that would halt Israeli attacks in exchange for Syria pledging to keep heavy weapons away from the border.

“Syria and Israel are approaching a 'de-escalation' agreement that would halt Israeli attacks in exchange for Syria's commitment not to transfer heavy equipment and machinery near the border,” Barrack told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

His comments come amid ongoing talks between Syria and Israel that Damascus hopes will lead Israel to end its strikes on Syrian territory and withdraw its troops from the south, where it has taken over a UN buffer zone. 

“The proposed agreement represents a first step toward a broader security understanding between both sides,” Barrack said.

“The Trump administration sought to announce the agreement this week,” added Barrack, noting that Jewish holidays and sluggish development have slowed the process.

Israel has repeatedly launched airstrikes against Syria since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, nominally to destroy weapons caches and protect the minority Druze community that has been the target of sectarian massacres at the hands of armed forces affiliated with the new Damascus government.

On Wednesday, a meeting took place between Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer aimed at reducing the recent escalation between the two states and discussing Israel’s proposal for a security deal. 

The proposal demands the ban of Syrian aircraft as well as the Syrian military on the Syrian-Israeli border, and in return, Israel would withdraw from the 1974 buffer zone, except for Mount Hermon peak. Damascus has not yet responded to the Israeli proposal.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Wednesday that negotiations between his country and Israel regarding a security agreement could lead to results “in the coming days.”

Despite historic hostilities, Barrack stressed that Syria and Israel are approaching the talks “in good faith.”

On Monday, Sharaa met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. The pair discussed “the importance of Israel-Syria relations” and stressed that the ties will significantly boost regional stability.