Syria and Israel engage in direct talks to ease tensions

Syria and Israel have engaged in numerous rounds of direct talks in recent weeks as the two countries, long at odds with each other, aim to halt escalating tensions.

According to the Financial Times, these are the first direct talks held between the new interim Syrian government and the Israeli government. The countries have had a tumultuous recent history, with Israel conducting airstrikes in Syria.

One of the people involved in the talks stated, “This is only the beginning, but the talks are focused largely on preventing the outbreak of hostilities and encouraging the Israelis to pull back from the Syrian border areas they have encroached on.”

President Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts appear to have influenced the new interim government. During his Gulf tour in May, Trump eased sanctions on Syria, encouraging cooperation with Israel and a crackdown on Hamas-associated militants.

Syria’s new rulers have embarked on a calculated diplomatic strategy, demonstrating their commitment to reducing regional tensions by meeting with Jewish community representatives and detaining senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad members who were implicated in the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Al-Sharaa has not openly endorsed Trump’s approach towards Israel. Instead, he appears more interested in returning to the terms of the 1974 ceasefire agreement, which established a UN-monitored buffer zone between the two countries.

These new talks suggest to many analysts that al-Sharaa may be intent on finding stability in Syria through diplomatic channels. However, political challenges remain significant.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that another civil war could break out within weeks, calling for increased funding to prevent potential uprisings and stabilise the country.

The diplomatic engagement marks a potential turning point in the long-standing regional conflict, though significant obstacles to lasting peace remain. Both sides appear cautiously optimistic about the potential for diplomatic resolution, while remaining aware of the complex historical tensions that have defined their relationship.

Financial Times/Maghrebi.org/BBC