Syrian authorities have arrested two senior members of the Palestinian armed faction Islamic Jihad, signaling a shift in alliances in the Middle East. The group, an Iran-backed ally of Hamas, was involved in the 2023 attack on Israel from Gaza. Syria's new rulers are seeking to distance themselves from Iran and its allies, as they try to regain control over armed groups in the country. The Trump administration has issued conditions for easing sanctions on Syria, including cracking down on extremist groups. The arrests of the Palestinians coincided with a visit by Republican congressmen to Damascus, showing increased attention to the war-torn country.