Assad's regime collapse in Syria increases chances of ceasefire in Gaza - Media
The fall of Assad's regime shifted the balance of power in the region (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The events in Syria have weakened Iran, which in turn increases the chances for an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, reports The Times of Israel.
According to the Times of Israel, a senior official from US President Joe Biden's administration suggested during a briefing with journalists that the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad by rebels in Syria increases the chances of reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.
The official stated that the events in Syria have radically changed the balance of power in the region, referring to the weakening of Iran and its allies. As a result, the US is intensifying efforts to secure an agreement regarding Gaza.
The Times of Israel reports that the US has repeatedly suggested over the past year that various regional events, including Israel's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and the ceasefire in Lebanon, have created openings for a deal on hostages. However, negotiations have yet to yield results.
In particular, Hamas has refused to back down from its demands for a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining 100 hostages, while Israel insists it will only agree to a temporary ceasefire that allows it to maintain a military presence in Gaza during the initial phase.
Despite this, the overthrow of Assad, according to the US official, has created a new balance of power in Syria that much more aligns with American interests. He suggests that this fundamental change will influence Iran's calculations, reiterating that the US will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
The official also mentioned that the Biden administration had held fruitful discussions with Trump's transition team on this matter, and both sides have reached a consensus.
"The US supports Israel’s freedom of action against Iranian networks in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime," he added.
On December 8, the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria finally collapsed. He fled the country. In the morning, rebels entered the capital, Damascus. In the evening, Russian media reported that Assad had fled to Moscow.
