Israel, Syria Agree To Ceasefire After 300 Killed In Sweida Violence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have agreed to a ceasefire, US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack said on Saturday, i.e., July 19. In a post on 'X', Barrack wrote, "BREAKTHROUGH ---- Israeli Prime Minister @Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa @SyPresidency supported by the U.S.A. @SecRubio have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Turkiye, Jordan and its neighbors".

Through the post, Tom Barrack, who is also Special Envoy for Syria, called upon the Druze community to support the peace initiative. "We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors".

The ceasefire follows Israeli airstrikes on Syria on Wednesday, which Israel said were carried out to protect the Druze, a minority Arab religious group. Clashes between pro-government forces and Druze factions have left dozens dead since the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, CNN reported.