Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized the need to separate Israel-EU relations from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as Israel and the European Union resumed talks strained by the war in Gaza. Speaking in Brussels after a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, Saar stated, “Israeli-EU relations must not be held hostage to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The meeting, co-chaired by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, marked the first such session since 2022. Kallas acknowledged the discussion as “candid” and highlighted Europe's concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank. She reiterated the EU’s call for all parties, including Israel, to adhere to international humanitarian law and urged progress toward the next phase of the ceasefire.
The EU has expressed its commitment to supporting Gaza’s reconstruction and ensuring the safe return of displaced Palestinians. However, divisions remain within the bloc over Israel’s military actions, with some countries, including Spain and Ireland, previously calling for a review of Israel’s compliance with human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated on Israel’s northern border, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding the complete demilitarization of southern Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Addressing Israeli military cadets, Netanyahu stated that Israel would not allow the new Syrian regime, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, to operate in areas south of Damascus.
Netanyahu also announced that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in Syrian territory seized after Assad’s fall, marking a shift in Israel’s stance. While Israel initially framed its presence in the UN-monitored Golan Heights buffer zone as temporary for security reasons, Netanyahu’s latest remarks indicate a long-term military foothold.
The new Syrian leadership, seeking to establish sovereignty, has called on Israel to withdraw from occupied zones. However, Netanyahu remains skeptical of Sharaa’s assurances that Syria will not be used as a base for attacks against Israel.
With shifting power dynamics in the region, Syria’s future remains uncertain, as foreign influence from Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States continues to shape its trajectory. Meanwhile, Israel’s firm stance on security could further complicate regional stability.