Day 634 - Could Syria be next in joining the Abraham Accords?

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Times of Israel

News

4.4 • 864 Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

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Summary

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will embark on his third trip to to Washington early next week to meet with US President Donald Trump. This comes alongside increased pressure to end the war in Gaza and perhaps the potential of a domino-type deal between Israel and regional players.

Berman speaks about reports that Israel and Syria are holding “advanced talks” on a bilateral agreement halting hostilities between the countries. Could this lead to Syria joining the Abraham Accords? And what position does this put Turkey in, even as its neighbor, Iran, just suffered a defeat at the hands of the US and Israel.

Israel’s military chief has advised cabinet ministers against ordering the Israel Defense Forces to expand operations in the Gaza Strip, over fears that doing so could significantly endanger the lives of hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave, according to Hebrew media accounts Monday. Berman speaks about the terrible decision that has faced Israel's political echelons for almost 21 months -- hostages or defeating Hamas -- and how Israeli soldiers in Gaza will likely increasingly be on Hamas's radar as long as no decision is taken.

At least 11 people in Gaza were killed yesterday in the area of a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center, according to local Palestinian media outlets. Also Monday, the military admitted in a statement that it has killed several civilians near aid sites in recent weeks and said it has learned lessons that will avoid similar incidents in the future. Berman recently spoke with the head of GHF, Reverend Johnnie Moore Jr. He brings us highlights from their conversation.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Netanyahu set to visit White House July 7 as US pushes for end to Gaza war

Israel in ‘advanced talks’ for deal to end hostilities with Syria, says senior official

Israel says Hezbollah must disarm before any Lebanon peace talks can advance

Dozens said killed in Gaza; IDF admits it has killed several civilians near aid sites

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IMAGE: President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Times of Israel's daily briefing.
0:07.9	Today is Tuesday, July 1st, day 634 of the war.
0:13.2	I'm Amanda Borchelle Dan here with a diplomatic correspondent, Laser Bearman.
0:17.5	Laser, thanks so much for joining me today.
0:19.7	Good to be here, and I did not realize it was
0:21.9	already July. It is July. So happy July 1st, Laser. Happy July 1st. So amid speculation of a domino
0:29.5	effect-type regional deal, our Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit for the third time
0:36.6	in Washington, D.C. to sit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
0:40.8	So we'll hear about the groundwork that is potentially being laid with Syria in terms of the U.S.
0:46.7	lifting sanctions and also potentially talks between Israel and Syria.
0:52.1	Laser will fill us in on this.
0:56.4	We'll also speak about the war in Gaza and also Lazer's recent conversation
0:59.3	with the head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,
1:02.6	Reverend Johnny Moore.
1:04.4	So all of this and more when we're back.
1:12.3	The war with Iran has left thousands of families in financial freefall.
1:17.6	Businesses destroyed. Incomes gone. No savings to fall back on. Ogen is stepping in to provide
1:25.4	urgent financial relief. As Israel's financial first responder, Ogen is stepping in to provide urgent financial relief.
1:34.7	As Israel's financial first responder, Ogen is offering interest-free loans and hands-on support to help families and small businesses get through the immediate crisis.
1:39.3	We're working directly with affected communities, helping people cover rent, pay suppliers, and stay on
1:46.2	their feet. We're on the ground, helping residents navigate loss, housing, work and child care,
1:53.2	businesses that have closed indefinitely, worlds collapsing overnight. Ogen is here to bridge
	...

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