A recent report from Israeli media has stirred confusion and backlash in Syria and Lebanon, especially in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, after suggesting the city’s involvement in unconfirmed negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv.

The Israeli news outlet I24NEWS outlined two possible scenarios as part of what it described as a potential “political settlement” between the Syrian regime and Israel. One scenario reportedly included Syrian demands for part of the Golan Heights and explicitly referenced Tripoli as a factor in the deal.

However, Syrian political sources speaking to kataeb.org dismissed the report as unfounded and ridiculed its content, calling it “a disinformation campaign with no basis in reality.”

“This report is nothing more than an attempt to damage the reputation of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and sow confusion within Lebanon’s Sunni community, serving the interests of regional and international agendas," the sources said.

“The portrayal of President Al-Sharaa as a naïve figure who would leak such ideas is wholly unacceptable. The Syrian president operates according to a clear, deliberate strategy, not rumors. The mention of Tripoli in this context is suspicious and goes far beyond a mere error in judgment.”

The sources rejected any notion that Tripoli could be treated as a political bargaining chip.

“Tripoli is not a commodity to be traded, nor would the city accept any project involving separation or merger. History stands as evidence. Attempts to suggest Al-Sharaa would consider such a path are illusions pushed by parties intent on destabilizing Lebanon and damaging Beirut-Damascus relations.”

The sources concluded that "the timing of Tripoli’s mention is anything but coincidental," arguing that Israel fully understands the city’s symbolic importance in the Syrian-Lebanese equation and is using such leaks to sow confusion, spread doubt, and manipulate certain actors into believing fantasies detached from reality.

This is the English adaptation of an Arabic article posted on Kataeb.org by Chady Hilani.