Syrians fear Israel normalisation could plunge the country back into war

Syrians fear the country could plunge back into the throes of war if its new rulers press ahead with a normalisation deal with Israel.

Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told journalists that his government was seeking more normalisation agreements in the region, with Syria and Lebanon eyed as among the countries looking to formally establish diplomatic relations despite the ongoing war on Gaza.

"Israel is interested in expanding the Abraham Accords circle of peace and normalisation," Saar said of the US-brokered deals that Israel signed with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan in 2020, during US President Donald Trump's first term in office.

"We have an interest in adding countries such as Syria and Lebanon, our neighbours - to the circle of peace and normalisation while safeguarding Israel's essential and security interests," Saar added.

His comments came days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's recent conflict with Iran had opened "the path to dramatically enlarge the peace accord".

Read more: Syrians fear Israel normalisation could plunge the country back into war