New Israel strikes on Damascus suburb
The agreement includes the deployment of joint security checkpoints managed by both state and local authorities, giving local Druze leaders oversight of security operations within the city, effectively countering Israel's justification for its continued military intervention under the pretext of "protecting the Druze community."
Despite the agreement, Pro-Israel influential Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri publicly rejected the deal, calling for continued armed resistance "until the full liberation of Suwayda."
His rejection came as dozens of Druze crossed from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights into Syria in a rare act of solidarity, unimpeded by Israeli forces.
The symbolic crossing highlighted the growing unrest and division within the Druze community over how to respond to Israeli aggression and the Syrian state's security measures.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, clashes erupted again in Suwayda despite the ceasefir,e raising questions about the deal's sustainability. The U.S. State Department weighed in, urging the Syrian government to withdraw its military presence from Suwayda to allow for de-escalation and civilian oversight.
International condemnation of Israel's ongoing military actions in Syria has intensified. The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the strikes, while the Syrian Foreign Ministry labeled them a "treacherous Israeli aggression" that targeted both governmental institutions and civilian facilities in Damascus and Suwayda.
The ministry warned that these attacks are part of a broader Israeli strategy to 'sow chaos and undermine regional stability.' It emphasized that Syria retains the legal right to defend its territory and people under international law.
In addition to the strikes on Al-Moadamiyeh and Daraa, Israeli warplanes have reportedly continued operations across southern Syria.
The escalation has triggered widespread criticism from regional actors, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and Lebanon, who warned that Israel's actions threaten regional peace and risk pushing the conflict into further escalation.
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