Ceasefire Negotiated Amidst Syrian Druze Heartland Violence

The United States announced on Saturday that it had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian government. This announcement came amidst renewed clashes in Syria's Druze heartland, following significant violence that prompted substantial Israeli military action.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 638 people had died since Sunday due to the fighting between the Druze and Bedouin communities. This violence has raised questions about the authority of Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel had previously intervened with major strikes, including targeting the army's headquarters in Damascus.

Tom Barrack, the US pointman on Syria, stated that Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a ceasefire, facilitated by the United States. The deal was also supported by Turkey and Jordan. The US called for all parties to cease hostilities and work towards a unified Syrian identity.

Earlier, the United States had announced a deal where Sharaa withdrew government forces from Sweida, the southern hub of the Druze minority. Sharaa claimed the mediation prevented a larger escalation with Israel, but his office accused Druze fighters of violating the agreement.

Renewed fighting broke out between Bedouin tribal factions and the Druze at the entrance to Sweida. An estimated 200 tribal fighters clashed with armed Druze men, using machine guns and shells. The Syrian Observatory also reported fighting and shelling in Sweida's neighborhoods.

The Sweida National Hospital was overwhelmed, with a large number of bodies stored in refrigerated units. Doctors and nurses struggled to treat the wounded arriving from the ongoing clashes. A doctor at the hospital reported receiving over 400 bodies since Monday.

The UN's International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 80,000 people had been displaced since Sunday. Tribal reinforcements from across Syria gathered in villages around Sweida to support local Bedouin.

Israel, which has a significant Druze community, announced it was sending humanitarian aid to the Druze in Sweida. Some analysts suggest Israel's goal is to weaken the Syrian military.

The humanitarian situation was described as catastrophic, with shortages of essential supplies. International organizations called for an end to the violence and independent investigations into the violations. Health facilities were overwhelmed, and morgues were overflowing. The violence began after the kidnapping of a Druze merchant.