Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa have agreed to a ceasefire following days of deadly clashes in Syria's southern Sweida province, as announced by U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack. The truce, backed by Türkiye, Jordan, and neighboring states, aims to halt violence that has claimed at least 638 lives and displaced over 79,000 people since Sunday.
Barrack urged Druze, Bedouin, and Sunni communities to "build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity," emphasizing dialogue over conflict. The agreement comes after Israel conducted strikes in Damascus on Wednesday, targeting Syrian military sites, while al-Sharaa pledged to deploy additional forces to restore order in Sweida.
Humanitarian conditions remain dire, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warning of overwhelmed hospitals, power outages, and overcrowded morgues. "Families are unable to bury their loved ones in dignity," said ICRC delegation head Stephan Sakalian. Israel has sent $600,000 in aid to support the Druze community in Sweida, which shares religious ties with Israel's own Druze population.
The violence erupted after a reported assault on a Druze man by Bedouin tribesmen near al-Masmiyah, escalating into broader clashes. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk called for independent investigations into violations, stressing the need for accountability.
