The United States said early Saturday it had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria’s government after deadly clashes in Syria’s Druze heartland triggered major Israeli strikes.
At least 638 people have died since Sunday in violence between Druze and Bedouin factions, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, raising serious questions over the authority of Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Israel intervened Wednesday with targeted strikes on Damascus, including the army headquarters, citing concern for the besieged Druze community.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack announced that Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a ceasefire, backed by Turkey and Jordan. A previous U.S.-mediated deal saw Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida, the southern hub of the Druze minority. Sharaa later accused Druze fighters of violating the agreement.
Renewed clashes broke out Friday between Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze men at the entrance to Sweida. An AFP correspondent reported shelling and machine gun fire, with hundreds killed and wounded. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to treat the injured, with bodies stored in corridors due to overflowing morgues.
Israel, which has a sizeable Druze population, announced nearly $600,000 in humanitarian aid for Sweida. The Israeli government has pledged to defend the Druze community as the crisis deepens.
The UN and Red Cross warned of a worsening humanitarian situation, with over 79,000 people displaced and urgent shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. The violence reportedly began after the kidnapping of a Druze merchant by Bedouin tribesmen.
