Israel and Syria hold direct talks on de-escalation

Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Schaibani, has engaged in high-level talks with senior Israeli representatives in Jordan, aiming to de-escalate tensions. The meeting, facilitated by the United States, is the first direct encounter between the Syrian foreign minister and Israeli officials, according to Syria's state news agency Sana.

The primary objective of the talks in Amman was to reduce tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. Diplomatic sources within the Syrian Foreign Ministry indicated that the discussions were intended to foster stability in southern Syria. Reports suggest that Mossad chief Roman Gofman was among the Israeli delegation, according to the news portal Axios and Israeli broadcaster N12. This meeting follows a period of increased Israeli military operations within Syria.

Israel has expanded its operations in southern Syria since the ousting of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. These actions include deploying troops into a UN-controlled demilitarized buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria. Israel states these strikes target weapons depots or military equipment and aim to prevent attacks by extremist groups. Tensions were recently heightened by an Israeli attack on a military airfield in northwestern Syria, which was condemned by both the Syrian Foreign Ministry and Turkey as a violation of Syrian sovereignty.

Syria and Israel have been in a state of war since 1948, with the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981 (an annexation not recognized internationally), remaining a central point of contention. Earlier in July, Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Scharaa reportedly stated that Syria was actively working with several countries to establish a security agreement with Israel. The current de-escalation talks represent a significant diplomatic effort amid long-standing conflict and regional instability.