Syria pursues diplomacy with Israel amid ongoing attacks and occupation, challenges persist

What happened

Al Jazeera Syria reports that since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, Syria’s new regime under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has pursued diplomacy with Israel despite ongoing Israeli military strikes and occupation in southern Syria. Israeli forces have expanded beyond the Golan Heights, setting up checkpoints and detaining Syrian civilians, while also bombing key military sites like the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus in July 2025. Syrian officials have repeatedly stated their intent to avoid military conflict and seek peace with their neighbours, but they also do not view Israel as a reliable partner, as stated by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. This diplomatic approach follows a decade of brutal civil war and Syria’s alignment under the Assad presidency with the Iran-led axis of resistance, which involved Iranian weapon transfers through Syrian territory to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The military has refrained from engaging Israel militarily since a 1974 disengagement agreement. Experts quoted by Al Jazeera characterize the current Syrian government as pragmatic, focused on nation-building and stability amid fatigue with conflict, attempting to leverage its diplomatic ties with the US, Turkiye, and Gulf states to counter Israeli disruptions.

Despite Syria’s efforts, Israeli actions continue to undermine these hopes for peace. Israeli attacks and occupation of southern Syrian areas raise tensions and complicate any long-term resolution. Analysts emphasize that Damascus views negotiations as a necessary security measure, yet Israel’s behavior under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government appears uncompromising, sustaining a security dilemma for the Syrian state.

Known from the source

• Israel has carried out repeated attacks on Syrian territory since the fall of the al-Assad government in December 2024.
• Israel has expanded troops and checkpoints in southern Syria beyond the occupied Golan Heights.
• The Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus was bombed by Israel in July 2025.
• Syria’s new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks diplomatic engagement with Israel, avoiding military confrontation.
• Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated the country does not currently trust Israel.

What remains unclear

The Syrian government has submitted complaints to the United Nations concerning Israeli incursions, arrests of Syrian citizens, and ongoing strikes, demanding a halt to these actions and withdrawal of Israeli forces from seized territories. Regional actors, including the US and Gulf states, are seen by Damascus as potentially pivotal in restraining Israel’s conduct and stabilizing the border areas.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Numbers and impact of casualties or arrests in Israeli strikes and incursions. Details and outcome of Syrian complaints to the United Nations regarding Israeli actions. Current location and extent of Israeli troop deployments in southern Syria.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Syria. Open the source.