In a surprise move, 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 Sweida province. The truce, backed by Türkiye and Jordan, aims to halt violence that has claimed over 600 lives and displaced nearly 80,000 people since Sunday. 💔
From Clashes to Ceasefire
The agreement comes after Israel launched strikes in Damascus on Wednesday, targeting Syrian military sites. Sharaa's office pledged to deploy fresh forces to Sweida, urging restraint as tensions between Druze and Bedouin communities spiraled. U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack called for unity, stating on X: "We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to build a new Syrian identity in peace."
The Human Cost
• 638+ deaths reported by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights • 79,339 displaced, per UN migration agency • Hospitals overwhelmed, morgues overflowing (ICRC) • Israel sent $600K in aid to Druze communities
International Response
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk demanded investigations into violations, while the ICRC warned of collapsing healthcare systems. "Families can’t even bury loved ones properly," said ICRC’s Stephan Sakalian. The crisis began after a reported assault on a Druze man by Bedouin tribesmen near al-Masmiyah.
As the world watches, this fragile peace deal could be a turning point—or just a pause in Syria’s decade-long storm. 🌪️
