It is possible for Israel to renew dialogue with the Palestinians and also with Syria, one of alleged supporters of Hezbollah against Israel in a monthlong offensive, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Tuesday.

Peretz said that the war had created new chances for broadened diplomatic process during which negotiations with Lebanon and Syria might be conducted and prepared, the Jerusalem Post reported.

However, Peretz's remarks were dismissed by right-wing Israel Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman as "unrealistic wishful thinking."

"After (Syrian President Bashar) Assad announced that the Golan Heights would be liberated by Syrian soldiers and that Hezbollah won the conflict, Peretz's call for negotiations with Syria will be received as a weakness and an invitation for another attack," Lieberman said.

Earlier in the day, Assad said in a statement that "Hezbollah's successes in fighting with Israel" had destroyed America's plan for a "new Middle East," and condemned Israel as the enemy that did not want peace.

Israel launched massive attacks on neighboring Lebanon on July 12 after two soldiers were kidnapped by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement in a cross-border raid.

A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations took effect on Monday after the month-long war killed some 1,100 Lebanese people, mostly civilians, and about 156 Israelis.

Washington has repeatedly blamed Damascus, together with its ally Tehran, for the bloodshed in Lebanon because of their support to Hezbollah.

The Golan Heights, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War, is a main sticking point between Syria and Israel. Talks on the territory broke off in 2000.

Source: Xinhua