A fragile negotiating window under the weight of strikes and mistrust
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani says Damascus expects security talks with Israel to resume despite deep mistrust. Syria puts an end to Israeli attacks first and says confidence-building must precede a wider arrangement.
The comments follow an Israeli strike near Beit Jinn. Israel said it targeted a person posing an immediate threat to its soldiers; Damascus called the action a violation of sovereignty. An earlier strike on a Syrian airbase further complicated US mediation.
The dispute exceeds one incident: Damascus seeks withdrawal and an end to operations, while Israel invokes security concerns in the south. Progress therefore depends on monitoring, reciprocal guarantees and measurable commitments.
Reuters · 23 August 2026