Officials on all sides have cautioned that key details must still be worked out. But there is a general sense of optimism that has been lacking for many months.

By bnm Gulf bureau The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has initiated a comprehensive operation to establish long-term military positions inside Syrian territory, including the strategically significant Mount Hermon region,

Israel has once again attacked military targets in Syria. Sounds of explosions were heard in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, among others, where the Russians have military bases. One of the explosions near Tartus was so powerful that it registered as a magnitude three earthquake on seismic sensors in the area.