The U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Stephen Witkoff, indicated that "normalizing relations between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel has become a real possibility," and he also noted that "Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has changed from what he used to be."

In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff stated, "I think Lebanon can normalize relations with Israel, literally by signing a peace treaty between the two countries. This is truly possible. The same applies to Syria."

Witkoff pointed out that al-Sharaa had evolved over time, saying, "People change. You are a completely different person at fifty-five than you were at thirty-five. Personally, I realize that at sixty-eight, I am not the same person I was thirty years ago. Perhaps Ahmad al-Sharaa, once known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani in Syria, is a different person now. They expelled Iran from there."

Witkoff highlighted that normalizing relations between Lebanon and Israel, followed by Syria and Israel, could be part of a larger effort to achieve peace in the region. He added, "Imagine if Lebanon normalized its relations with Israel, then Syria did the same, and Saudi Arabia signed a normalization agreement with Israel after achieving peace in Gaza. This would be a precondition for normalization with Saudi Arabia."

He emphasized that such steps could lead to the formation of an alliance among Gulf countries, working together to ensure regional stability.