Israel unlikely to compromise security for peace agreements post-October 7 trauma, expert says

Israel is unlikely to compromise on security in future peace agreements, largely due to the profound and lasting trauma stemming from the October 7 attacks, according to Professor Eytan Gilboa, an expert on diplomacy at Bar-Ilan and Reichman Universities.

Gilboa commented on reports that officials from a regional country advised another to deceptively agree with Israel to "lull it to sleep" before launching an attack. He stated that such tactics would likely fail because the trauma of October 7 is so significant and enduring that it makes substantial security compromises in peace deals improbable. "I don’t think that would be possible," he told The Jerusalem Post.

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That’s the problem with October 7. The trauma is so significant and will last for so long that I don’t think signing peace agreements in the future that require substantial security compromises.

He expressed skepticism that any countries currently holding agreements with Israel would offer such advice. Gilboa also noted that several nations and armed groups are either in negotiations with Israel or are being pressured by Washington to initiate talks. This includes discussions surrounding a potential agreement with Damascus, despite the interim president's history.

Regarding a peace agreement that might involve handing over the Golan Heights, Gilboa called it "isn't in the cards" for Jerusalem. He mentioned that while US President Donald Trump has advocated for security agreements that avoid such concessions, Gilboa doubts their materialization. He believes neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor any future leader would withdraw from territories in exchange for non-belligerence pledges that lack guaranteed adherence. On the Lebanon front, he acknowledged a desire to end the war but noted Hezbollah's focus on instability.

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Peace agreement requiring concession of Golan Heights 'isn't in the cards,' Gilboa says