Syrian, Israeli officials hold 'significant' meeting in Paris
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Syrian and Israeli officials hold a US-brokered meeting in Paris to discuss "security understandings" in southern Syria.
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Syria's interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, center, signs a temporary constitution for the country alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. in Damascus, Syria, on March 13, 2025. (AP)
Senior Syrian and Israeli officials held a meeting in Paris this week, according to Israeli media outlets and Axios, amid escalating tensions in southern Syria and recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The talks, which reportedly took place under the auspices of US Special Envoy and Ambassador Tom Barrack, brought together Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
The meeting, first revealed by i24News, comes days after Israeli strikes targeted the Syrian General Staff Headquarters and the Presidential Palace in Damascus. It also follows weeks of unrest and violence in Sweida.
Tel Aviv seeks southern Syria 'understanding'
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 described the Paris meeting as “significant,” suggesting it aimed to produce “security understandings” to prevent further confrontations like last week’s border clashes and air raids. The outlet emphasized that even tactical discussions could lay the groundwork for broader arrangements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying that the area south of Damascus “must be demilitarized,” although he admitted that “the Syrians at this stage are unlikely to accept this,” hinting at the potential for future negotiations.
Meanwhile, Axios confirmed the meeting and added that it followed a recent ceasefire agreement reached on July 18 between Netanyahu and Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, mediated by the United States and supported by Turkey and Jordan.
Read more: Erdogan slams Israeli strikes on Syria, says will not accept division
Past meetings, present calculations
Israeli media noted that previous encounters had taken place between officials representing al-Sharaa’s transitional authority and Israeli representatives, including meetings in Azerbaijan.
The French-hosted meeting marks the most direct channel of communication reported in years, raising questions about its implications for Syria’s sovereignty and the wider regional alignment against the Israeli occupation.
Read more: Barrack backs Damascus, suggests 'Israel' prefers a divided Syria: AP
