US-Brokered Agreement Aims to Halt Syria Violence Amid Israeli Strikes

Ceasefire Efforts Gain Momentum

The United States has announced a negotiated plan to quell escalating violence in southern Syria following days of deadly clashes and Israeli airstrikes targeting Damascus. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Wednesday that "specific steps" had been agreed upon to end hostilities in Suweida province, where Druze militias and Bedouin tribes have engaged in fierce fighting since Sunday.

Regional Tensions Flare

Israeli forces intensified military operations this week, striking Syria's Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus and security installations in the south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the actions as protective measures for Syria's Druze minority, declaring, "We are working to save our Druze brothers and eliminate the regime's gangs." Syrian officials condemned the attacks as "treacherous aggression," accusing Israel of violating international law.

Syrian state media reported troop withdrawals from Suweida following local agreements with religious leaders, though distrust persists among minority communities toward President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government. The Druze, followers of a distinct faith rooted in Shia Islam, have faced repeated sectarian violence, including a May clash in Damascus that killed dozens.

"The painful blows have begun," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on social media alongside footage of an airstrike near Syria's Defense Ministry.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) estimates over 300 fatalities in Suweida since Sunday, including civilians caught in crossfire and attacks on medical facilities. Witnesses described artillery barrages and sniper fire paralyzing the city, with one resident recounting failed attempts to rescue a fatally wounded neighbor. Hospitals reportedly faced critical shortages of supplies amid government forces' seizure of the national hospital compound.

While Syria's foreign ministry welcomed U.S. mediation efforts, it accused Israel of intentionally destabilizing the region through strikes on civilian infrastructure. The SOHR also documented casualties among Bedouin fighters and Syrian military personnel, though the BBC could not independently verify these figures.

The violence stems from rising tensions after Druze militants allegedly abducted a merchant near Damascus last week. Despite the announced ceasefire, analysts warn the conflict underscores Syria's fragile security landscape as rival factions vie for control amid prolonged instability.