Photo Israel 1949 Independence War Syria Armistice Agreements IDF Chief Maklef

The talks with Syria began on April 5, 1949, and were the most difficult and prolonged.

Members of the Israeli delegation to the talks with Lebanon, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Mordechai Maklef, also represented Israel in talks with Syria. The Syrians were represented by Colonel-Colonel Fawzi Salou, Commander Muhammad Nasser, Captain Afif Sisi, and Attorney General Salah to Dayan Farazi. The negotiations focused on finding an arrangement that would lead to a Syrian withdrawal as demanded by Israel, but would compensate the Syrians for their withdrawal. It took a long time, because both sides presented uncompromising positions, and neither of them took the time to reach an agreement. The talks have reached a dead end at the beginning. Even the discussion of a cease-fire agreement was complicated because Israel was afraid to sign an agreement that would tie its hands and make it difficult to take military action if the Syrians refused.

The armistice agreement with Syria was signed on July 20, 1949. The Syrian forces evacuated Jordan Guard and Syria returned the captured Jordan Guard personnel to Israel. The Syrian army retreated to the international border and all the areas it held west of the international border became demilitarized zones.