Axios: US-led Israel-Syria talks set for July 24 amid Suwayda fallout

The United States will host a high-level meeting on July 24 aimed at easing tensions between Israel and Syria following recent clashes and Israeli airstrikes near Damascus.

 U.S. Syria envoy Tom Barrack will chair the session, which will include senior officials from both the Israeli and Syrian governments, sources told Axios.

This marks the first direct engagement between the three nations since violence erupted last week in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, where a convoy of Syrian army tanks — reportedly destined to quell fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes — was struck by Israeli forces. Israel said the convoy had entered a demilitarised zone and claimed Syrian troops were acting against the Druze population; Damascus denied those allegations. The situation rapidly escalated, culminating in Israeli airstrikes on Damascus on the following day, including near the presidential palace. U.S. officials attributed the escalation to miscommunications between the two nations.

The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on security arrangements in southern Syria and enhance coordination between Israel and Syria to prevent future flare-ups like the one in Suwayda. A senior Israeli official acknowledged that while the region is currently calmer, a lasting resolution requires a broader agreement involving the U.S., Israel, and Syria.

The venue for Thursday’s negotiations has not yet been announced, though previous trilateral discussions were held in Baku between Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Sheibani.

Behind the scenes, senior U.S. officials were alarmed by Israel’s recent airstrikes, reflecting growing concern over the country’s regional policy. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that President Trump had expressed his displeasure with the strikes and personally urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "rectify" the situation.

By Tamilla Hasanova