
Israel explores normalization with Syria, despite challenges—could this mark a turning point in Mideast relations?
With advanced steps toward expanding the Abraham Accords and including Syria, and while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in tough negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to stop the Gaza war, conflicting Israeli reports have emerged about talks in Abu Dhabi on Sunday between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi.
Israel did not deny the news. While some officials confirmed the meeting took place, others claimed Hanegbi did not meet al-Sharaa but met with security officials instead.
Meanwhile, the Maariv newspaper reported that Hanegbi's trip to Abu Dhabi on Sunday delayed the departure of the "Wing of Zion" plane carrying U.S. officials to Washington by three hours.
An Israeli report revealed direct contacts between Damascus and Tel Aviv through four channels personally overseen by Hanegbi, one of which involved Syrian security entities.
The second channel of talks was supervised by Mossad head David Barnea.
The third channel involved Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who previously said that Israel has an interest in an agreement with Syria, but the cornerstone of any agreement is Damascus' recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
The fourth channel, also essential, involves officers from the Israeli army and Syrian security entities.
In response to the stir caused by reports of the Hanegbi-Al-Sharaa meeting, a senior Israeli official briefed political reporters, saying normalization with Syria poses major challenges.
The official stated that the success of the military strike on Iran, in which the United States participated, created a unique opportunity to change the face of the Middle East, including reaching agreements with Syria and Lebanon.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


LBCI
11 hours ago
- LBCI
Yemen's Houthis claim recent deadly Red Sea attack on merchant ship
Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility Wednesday for a deadly attack earlier this week that sank a merchant vessel -- the second ship to be hit in less than 24 hours as the rebels resume their campaign in the key waterway. "The naval force of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the ship (ETERNITY C)," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and saying the vessel was headed towards Eilat in Israel. AFP


LBCI
11 hours ago
- LBCI
US State Dept spokesperson urges Lebanon to advance Hezbollah disarmament and urgent reforms after Barrack's visit
A U.S. State Department spokesperson, speaking following U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's visit to Beirut, emphasized that private diplomatic discussions with Lebanon should not be publicly characterized. 'As Ambassador Barrack has said publicly, he was unbelievably satisfied with the initial response by the Lebanese government, but he also said we must now get into the details,' the official said. On the security front, the spokesperson affirmed that progress has been made by the Lebanese army in disarming Hezbollah in the south, but more remains to be done. 'We need the Lebanese state to do more to fully remove all weapons, and infrastructure from Hezbollah and non-state actors across the country,' the spokesperson added. However, security reforms alone will not suffice, as Lebanon must urgently pass critical economic and judicial reforms to restore financial stability and regain international confidence. Parliament must act swiftly to pass legislation on bank resolution and judicial independence, the official confirmed. They further noted: 'As Ambassador Barrack said while in Beirut, Lebanon must utilize this moment to make progress." The spokesperson concluded with a warning: 'We don't want to see Hezbollah, or any other terrorist group in Lebanon, recover their ability to commit violence and threaten security in Lebanon or Israel.'


LBCI
11 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel tests boundaries in Lebanon with new ground incursions and offenses
Report by Wissam Nasrallah, English adaptation by Laetithia Harb The Israeli military has acknowledged conducting a recent ground incursion into southern Lebanon, citing the need for "targeted operations" to destroy weapons and prevent Hezbollah from regrouping in the area. According to Israel's army, the operation focused on a site in the Jabal Blat region that allegedly housed weapons depots and Hezbollah firing posts, as well as hidden arms in the area of Labbouneh. These were the objectives Israeli forces claimed to have destroyed during the raid. However, both Jabal Blat and Labbouneh are among five Lebanese locations Israel has occupied ahead of the current ceasefire agreement took effect. The weapons seen in the published photos are the kind more commonly associated with family disputes in Lebanon. The Israeli army's deployment of two separate brigades to seize a Kalashnikov and a B7 in a territory it has already occupied for months is being seen less as a military achievement and more as a calculated show of force — a message that it can operate whenever and however, it chooses. This is not the first time Israel has violated Lebanese territory since the ceasefire. Previously, the Israeli army entered the town of Meiss El Jabal, where it dug trenches and set up barriers. In Houla, they demolished a home and posted a sign warning residents not to allow Hezbollah to use their properties. Through repeated incursions and violations, Israel is attempting to establish a new reality on the ground, testing the limits of its freedom to maneuver inside Lebanese territory — and Hezbollah's patience along with it.