Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Russian-Iranian Differences Hamper Ghouta Negotiations

A child walks down a bombed street in the rebel-held town of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta enclave outside Damascus on March 8, 2018. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP
A child walks down a bombed street in the rebel-held town of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta enclave outside Damascus on March 8, 2018. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP
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Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Russian-Iranian Differences Hamper Ghouta Negotiations

A child walks down a bombed street in the rebel-held town of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta enclave outside Damascus on March 8, 2018. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP
A child walks down a bombed street in the rebel-held town of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta enclave outside Damascus on March 8, 2018. Hamza Al Ajweh / AFP

Differences between Russia and both the Syrian regime and Iran have hampered negotiations on Damascus’ eastern Ghouta enclave, an informed Syrian opposition source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday.

The source said that the complications came in light of disputes between opposition factions.

“Russia is determined to allow the withdrawal of al-Nusra Front fighters from Ghouta and to reinforce the ceasefire, while the Syrian regime, backed by Iranian militias, opts for the military solution as a means to establish control over the besieged areas,” the source said.

As the differences lingered, regime forces have splintered eastern Ghouta towns and villages into three isolated pockets.

The source said talks between the Russian side and Failaq al-Rahman concerning the withdrawal of Nusra fighters from Ghouta seemed more complicated.

“Until now, the Russians have failed to convince Failaq al-Rahman in forcing Nusra fighters to leave Ghouta,” the source added.

Currently, there are around 270 Nusra fighters in Failaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham controlled areas.

Meanwhile, the Russian Center for Reconciliation, based along with Russia's air force at the Hmeimim base in western Syria, was facilitating negotiations with rebels in Ghouta, a Russian news agency reported.

"The fighters are considering the possibility of evacuating several dozen residents in exchange for an opportunity to leave the area with their families," a representative of the center, officer Vladimir Zolotukhin, told Interfax.

Separately, signs emerged on Sunday concerning Moscow’s plans to introduce wide changes to its military activities in Syria, in coordination with Ankara, to face what it called “escalatory threats.”

Media reports said Moscow would now adopt a new policy to enhance its military activities in Syria, even if it entailed losses or more military expenditures.

This issue would be discussed during the expected visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to Moscow on Monday.



Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will likely have a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to release more Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group. 

Netanyahu said 50 hostages were still being held captive by Hamas. Of that figure, he said, only 20 are believed to be alive. 

"I want to take them all out. We now have a deal that supposedly will get half of the living and half of the dead out," Netanyahu said in an interview on Newsmax show "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that aired on Thursday. 

"And so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages, but I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete it in a few days." 

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. 

The two sides have had two ceasefires - one in November 2023 and another in January 2025- since the fighting started. 

Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas will likely have a 60-day ceasefire, which the two sides could use to try to end the conflict. 

Hamas said on Wednesday there were several sticking points in the ongoing ceasefire talks including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire." 

Netanyahu's interview with Newsmax comes as he wraps his third visit to Washington since President Donald Trump took office in January. 

Speaking of Trump, the Israeli leader said his country has never had "such a friend, such a support of Israel, the Jewish state in the White House." 

Last month, the US joined Israel in striking Iran, a move that Trump has said "obliterated" three of Iran's nuclear sites. 

When asked about a damage assessment, Netanyahu said, "Within months, they could have produced atomic bombs."