Political sources in Tel Aviv revealed that Russia is secretly mediating between Syria and Israel to reach a security agreement between them with the United States' blessing.
Israel's Kan 11 state radio said Azerbaijan was hosting and leading meetings and discussions with Syrian and Israeli officials visiting Baku.
An informed security source said Moscow and Damascus were working on bolstering their relations, reported Kan. Russia last month dispatched soldiers and equipment to Syria's coastal Latakia region.
The sources revealed that Israel prefers that Russia, not Türkiye, consolidate its position in Syria.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was in Moscow this week where he held talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and his counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday.
Shaibani said the visit sought to elevate relations between Syria and Russia to the strategic level.
Putin had on October 15 welcomed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow with the leaders stressing the importance of bolstering strategic and political ties, as well as cooperation in various fields.
Israel enjoys warm ties with Russia and is trying to reach an understanding with it over dividing interests in Syria, while Tel Aviv has been wary of Ankara's influence.
Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have held four long telephone calls since May to discuss several issues, including Syria.
Following one of the phone calls in May, a Syrian Foreign Ministry statement said Putin had stressed during his meetings with Syrian officials Russia's "categorical rejection" of Israeli meddling or attempts to divide Syria.
He underscored Moscow's commitment in supporting Syria's reconstruction and efforts to restore stability.
In Tel Aviv, Israeli media spoke about "joint interests with Moscow in Syria to counter Turkish influence."
The Maariv daily said the Russians enjoy good relations with Türkiye and Israel and are keen on making sure they don't deteriorate.
At the same time, Russia wants to maintain its positions in Syria with Ankara and Tel Aviv's approval and is doing so in coordination with them, as well as with Damascus.
The US has also been trying to strike security understandings between Syria and Israel and has not opposed positive contributions from other parties, including Russia.
Michael Harari, an expert on Syria and the Middle East, said Sharaa was wisely leading Syria, allowing it to be embraced by the region and international community.
Israel, meanwhile, must not appear as though it wants chaos to persist in Syria, he wrote in Maariv.
For it to well manage its interests, it must strike a security deal with Damascus, he urged, explaining that it should translate its military gains in the latest war to political ones.
To do so, it can no longer maintain its current policy towards Syria, he added.
