Ceasefire Update: Israel and Syria

The ceasefire negotiated by the Trump administration between Israel and Syria seemed to hold on Thursday.

According to reports, Israel targeted Syrian positions close to the Druze area near its border and the military headquarters in Damascus following attacks on the local Druze community.

There was significant shock and anger within the mountainous region inhabited by Druze Arabs, which lies between Syria, Israel, and Lebanon, after reports emerged of abuses by Syrian forces against Druze in the Syda region.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with attacks but also advised Israeli Druze citizens against traveling to Syria to aid their fellow Druze and took steps to prevent the immigration of Druze from Syria to Israel.

A number of Syrian Druze villages have openly requested support from Israel in light of the ongoing situation with Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised alarms about the conflict on Wednesday, quickly facilitating a ceasefire as part of an extended version of the Abraham Accord, which may involve Saudi Arabia, aiming to bolster President Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

On Wednesday, Syrian forces began to withdraw from the Druze region, and Israeli strikes on Syrian targets ceased.

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has previously been a target of a $10 million US bounty, criticized Israel on Thursday, promising to advocate for the rights of the Druze community.