During her visit, Baerbock expressed skepticism towards Ahmad Al-Charaa, highlighting the historical ties of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, despite HTS's recent claims of moderation.

Baerbock emphasized the importance of addressing past atrocities in Syria, as articulated by Al-Charaa, who called for the lifting of international sanctions against the Assad regime.

The HTS militia, while designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, is perceived as moderate in diplomatic terms, prompting Baerbock to insist on evaluating their actions moving forward.

In related humanitarian concerns, WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus criticized Israel for the slow pace of medical evacuations from Gaza, where thousands of critically ill patients remain waiting.

The health ministry in Gaza reported over 45,500 deaths and more than 108,000 injuries since the onset of the Israeli offensive, which began after a Hamas attack in October 2023.

Amidst these tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized negotiators to continue discussions in Doha regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack.

Amnesty International's findings indicate that the Assad government has committed crimes against humanity, including torture and executions, particularly in the Saidnaya prison.

Baerbock warned that escalating tensions between Turkey and Kurdish forces could create opportunities for ISIS to regain strength in the region.

Al-Charaa has pledged to dissolve armed factions, including HTS, and announced plans for a national dialogue, although specific timelines remain unclear.

The German government and Hamas condemned the Palestinian Authority's suspension of Al-Jazeera, emphasizing the critical importance of press freedom in conflict zones.

The recent power shift in Syria has seen the Turkish-supported Syrian National Army seize control of strategically important Manbidsch, previously held by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, alongside her French counterpart, made a significant diplomatic visit to Syria to engage with the new rulers, including Islamist groups.