Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has tied the recent surge in violence in southern Lebanon to major political shifts in Syria, suggesting these developments signal a broader push toward normalization between Damascus and Israel.

Speaking to the news outlet Asas Media, Berri stated that the “new Syria” is on a path toward rapprochement with Israel, "if it has not already made significant progress." He noted Syria’s engagement with the Abraham Accords and normalization efforts, highlighting the recent Riyadh meetings and the U.S.-Saudi summit, where Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa participated and was awarded what Berri described as a “stabilization shield.”

When asked about potential ways to halt the daily Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and how far these attacks could escalate, Berri shifted the focus away from Israel, instead pointing to the United States.

“Don’t ask about Israel. Ask the Americans,” he said. “We signed a ceasefire agreement with them, and they are supposed to enforce its implementation on Israel. The Americans are the ones primarily responsible for stopping the fire. If they truly want to, it’s up to them to make it happen."