Unverified as of this writing, and the devil is in the details, but Haaretz is reporting a historic agreement between Israel and Syria: Secret understandings reached between representatives of Israel, Syria.

In a series of secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006, Syrians and Israelis formulated understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.

The main points of the understandings are as follows:

* An agreement of principles will be signed between the two countries, and following the fulfillment of all commitments, a peace agreement will be signed.

* As part of the agreement on principles, Israel will withdraw from the Golan Heights to the lines of 4 June, 1967. The timetable for the withdrawal remained open: Syria demanded the pullout be carried out over a five-year period, while Israel asked for the withdrawal to be spread out over 15 years.

* At the buffer zone, along Lake Kinneret, a park will be set up for joint use by Israelis and Syrians. The park will cover a significant portion of the Golan Heights. Israelis will be free to access the park and their presence will not be dependent on Syrian approval.

* Israel will retain control over the use of the waters of the Jordan River and Lake Kinneret.

* The border area will be demilitarized along a 1:4 ratio (in terms of territory) in Israel’s favor.

* According to the terms, Syria will also agree to end its support for Hezbollah and Hamas and will distance itself from Iran.

The document is described as a “non-paper,” a document of understandings that is not signed and lacks legal standing - its nature is political. It was prepared in August 2005 and has been updated during a number of meetings in Europe.

UPDATE at 1/16/07 8:33:45 am:

The Prime Minister’s office says this report was fabricated, which comes as no surprise: PM: No government officials involved in secret Syria talks.