Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer held U.S.-brokered talks in Paris on 19 August with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Washington’s envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, to explore security arrangements along the Israel–Syria border. The discussions, confirmed by Israeli and Syrian media, are part of a wider effort led by the United States to calm tensions in southern Syria after months of Druze-Arab clashes and Israeli airstrikes in the Sweida region. On 20 August, Dermer remained in the French capital for a separate meeting with senior Qatari officials focused on a potential Gaza ceasefire and a hostage-release agreement. According to Channel 12, the Israeli minister told his Qatari counterparts that any halt to fighting in Gaza would require the release of all Israeli captives held by militant groups.