According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria is seeking a security agreement with Israel and that the two sides could pave the way for full peace without undermining Syria's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, July 26, Sharaa said Syria was trying to rally pressure from multiple countries on Israel to adopt a more balanced policy toward Syria, adding: “We are avoiding confrontation.” He also said his government is “not considering military intervention in Lebanon.” Sharaa said earlier that Israeli forces entered Syria after the Assad government fell in December 2024, seized strategic positions including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon in the demilitarized zone, and have since carried out airstrikes and detained people in Syria. Israel has also said it is acting to protect Syria's Druze minority.