Israel, Syria Agree To Ceasefire After 300 Killed In Sweida Violence
Israel and Syria have reached a temporary ceasefire agreement after days of deadly unrest in Syria's southern Sweida province, which has left at least 321 people dead, including women, children, and medical staff, according to human rights monitors.
The Syrian presidency announced late Friday that a special security force would be deployed to the south to help end the fighting, supported by coordinated political and security efforts aimed at restoring stability and preventing further escalation.
Earlier in the week, Syrian government troops were sent in to quell the clashes but faced accusations of widespread abuses against the Druze population. Israeli airstrikes targeted these forces, prompting their withdrawal under a truce brokered on Wednesday. The ceasefire, supported by Turkey, Jordan, and other regional actors, was facilitated in part by U.S. diplomacy.
Despite its earlier stance against Syrian military deployments in the south, Israel said on Friday it would permit limited Syrian internal security access to Sweida for 48 hours. “In light of ongoing instability in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of Syrian internal security forces into the Sweida district for the next 48 hours,” an Israeli official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Tensions remain high, with Israel accusing Syria’s new leadership—described by Israeli officials as “thinly veiled jihadists”—of posing a threat to the Druze community, which has deep roots in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. The Israeli government’s stance has been bolstered by calls from its own Druze citizens to protect their Syrian counterparts. Israel continued its strikes on Sweida early Friday morning, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire.
On the ground, Reuters reporters saw a convoy of Syrian interior ministry vehicles halted in Daraa province, just east of Sweida, awaiting final clearance to proceed. Meanwhile, thousands of Bedouin fighters were reportedly heading into Sweida, fueling local fears that violence could resume at any moment.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported at least 321 deaths since the violence erupted on Sunday, with all sides allegedly committing field executions. Syria's emergency minister confirmed over 500 people had been wounded, and hundreds of families had been evacuated from the region.
Humanitarian conditions in Sweida have severely deteriorated. Residents described a desperate situation, with no electricity, food, water, or fuel for several days. “For four days, there has been no electricity, no fuel, no food, no drink—nothing at all,” said Mudar, a 28-year-old local who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns. He added that poor internet and mobile connectivity made it difficult to access reliable information.
Clashes reportedly continued in the northern and western parts of Sweida province, according to both residents and Ryan Marouf, head of local news outlet Sweida24.
The UN human rights office has called on Syria's interim authorities to investigate reports of grave human rights abuses during the fighting, including unlawful killings, abductions, and summary executions. In one documented incident on Tuesday, affiliates of the interim authorities allegedly opened fire at a family gathering, killing 13 people. That same day, six men were reportedly executed near their homes.
The UN refugee agency also appealed for safe humanitarian access to affected areas, noting that aid efforts had been severely hindered by ongoing hostilities. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought improved ties with Washington, accused Israel of trying to destabilize the country and pledged to protect the nation’s Druze minority.
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