FM: Israel open to diplomatic ties with Syria, Lebanon

Israel is open to establishing official diplomatic relations with longtime adversaries Syria and Lebanon, but the status of the Golan Heights is non-negotiable in any future peace deal, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said during a press conference on June 30.

Speaking alongside Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Saar said the shifting dynamics in the Middle East have also created new opportunities for regional cooperation. He noted that Israel seeks to broaden the circle of the Abraham Accords by including neighbouring countries such as Syria and Lebanon, but stressed that this would not come at the expense of Israel’s core security interests, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He reiterated that Israel extended its sovereignty over the Golan Heights more than four decades ago, and declared that the region would remain an integral part of the state under any circumstances.

Addressing the ongoing war in Gaza, Saar said Israel remained committed to reaching a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. He claimed that Israel had repeatedly agreed to proposals put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, while Hamas had so far refused to do the same. 

He acknowledged that significant gaps remain between the two sides, adding that Hamas aims to end the war while maintaining control over the Gaza Strip. Saar accused the group of using hostages as leverage and warned that if diplomatic avenues failed, Israel would resort to military means to achieve its objectives.

Tensions in the region have been heightened by more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon, which began in late 2023 alongside the Gaza war. 

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the territory in 1981.

By Sabina Mammadli