Sa’ar welcomes presence of Syrian counterpart at EU summit, says Israel has no plans to stay in Gaza

During his visit to the European Union in Brussels today, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar notes the presence of his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, who is attending the same EU gathering.

“We welcome the participation of the Syrian minister. We will be together in the same meeting. Let’s see what will happen,” Sa’ar told reporters after arriving in Brussels.

The joint attendance of the two ministers drew attention amid quiet diplomatic efforts between Israel and Syria to explore a potential security or even peace agreement. However, a spokesperson for Sa’ar tells The Times of Israel that no personal meetings between the two are planned.

In an interview with Euronews, Sa’ar says Israel has no intention of maintaining permanent control over the Gaza Strip.

“We don’t have any intention to do so,” he says. “With regard to the Gaza Strip, we have only security concerns.”

Sa’ar also reiterated that Hamas “cannot be part of the future of Gaza,” and pushes back against claims that Israel’s campaign has been disproportionate, calling them “ridiculous.”

“What would you say about the Western attack against ISIS that destroyed ISIS? Was it proportionate?” he asks rhetorically. “Israel should agree to the existence of this terrorist state, one mile from its communities… What are proportions in this case? This terror state should be eliminated as a state,” he adds.

Sa’ar is in Brussels for the EU–Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting, a forum aimed at strengthening cooperation between the EU and southern partners from the Middle East and North Africa. He is expected to return to Israel on Tuesday.