Syria’s al-Sharaa confirms indirect talks with Israel amid soaring tensions

The conflict in Syria has intensified as interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announces indirect talks with Israel to ease tensions, accusing the Israeli government of "random interventions" and threatening minority Druze populations. As the first post-Assad leader to visit Paris since toppling Assad, al-Sharaa seeks to pressure external actors to cease interference in Syria's affairs. Meanwhile, President Macron supports gradual EU sanctions relief but stresses the need to prioritize a delayed military withdrawal from Syria over lifting international restrictions, signaling cautious optimism amid regional tensions and international hesitancy about direct U.S.-Syria dialogue.