Israel Opens Sweida for 48 Hours Amid Deadly Druze-Bedouin Clashes

Israel announced Friday that it will allow Syrian internal security forces to enter the Sweida Governorate for a limited 48-hour period due to escalating violence in southern Syria.

Local media sources say an Israeli official, speaking anonymously, cited continued instability in the region as the reason for this rare approval.

Sweida province has been gripped by deadly clashes since Sunday, pitting Druze militias against Sunni Bedouin tribes, who were later supported by Syrian government forces.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least 254 people have been killed in four days, including women, children, and medical workers.

The violence has deeply resonated with Israel’s Druze population, prompting calls for the government to step in to protect their ethnic and religious kin in Syria.

Reports have surfaced alleging regime forces killed civilians, looted homes, and humiliated Druze clerics.

Meanwhile, videos circulated online showed Druze fighters abusing captured regime troops and posing with their corpses.

Following a temporary truce on Wednesday, Syrian forces pulled back from Sweida.

However, fighting resumed late Thursday night between the Druze and Bedouin factions.

Local journalist Ryan Marouf of Sweida24 and area residents confirmed that violence persisted into Friday.

Israel has maintained a strict policy of opposing any Syrian military presence south of Damascus.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that only internal security forces would be permitted in Sweida, reflecting Israel’s concerns about maintaining the demilitarized buffer zone.

In contrast, Syria’s interior ministry denied plans to deploy forces to Sweida.

A spokesperson refuted earlier statements suggesting redeployment was imminent, contradicting prior reports from Reuters.

Israel reportedly carried out airstrikes in Sweida earlier in the week, targeting Syrian defense installations and areas near President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s palace in Damascus.

However, on Friday, the Israeli military denied Syrian state media reports that it had launched additional strikes overnight.

Israel’s involvement is partly driven by pressure from its own Druze community and deep suspicion of Syria’s new Islamist-aligned leadership under Sharaa, who has worked to improve relations with the U.S.

Despite American diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire, Washington has not supported recent Israeli military actions in Syria.

Sharaa, meanwhile, has accused Israel of sowing division in Syria and pledged to safeguard the Druze.

Still, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced a humanitarian aid initiative for Sweida’s Druze, including food and medical supplies worth 2 million shekels ($600,000).

A similar aid shipment was sent in March.

The United Nations has raised alarms over human rights abuses during the conflict.

The UN’s human rights office reported serious violations, including summary executions and kidnappings.

One July 15 incident saw 13 civilians killed at a family gathering, while six others were executed outside their homes.

The UN refugee agency has called on all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access to the conflict zone, which has been severely restricted by ongoing hostilities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will continue using force if necessary to uphold its two red lines in Syria: no military activity south of Damascus, and protection of the Druze minority.

He accused the Syrian regime of breaching both conditions and emphasized that the recent truce was forced, not negotiated.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces targeted Syrian military assets and demanded regime withdrawal from Sweida, following sectarian violence reportedly sparked by an assault on a Druze vegetable vendor.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin admitted the army had been unprepared for the wave of civilians crossing the border.

Around 1,000 Israeli Druze entered Syria, while dozens of Syrian Druze sought refuge in Israel.

Two young Israeli Druze were arrested Thursday after reentering Israel with a Kalashnikov rifle.

Israeli authorities have since worked with Druze leaders to manage border crossings and ensure the safe return of civilians on both sides.

Syria’s interim government under Sharaa has faced growing criticism for its treatment of minority groups.

In March, more than 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians were reportedly killed in massacres on the coast. Previous Druze-government clashes in April and May left over 100 dead.

Israel, which has about 150,000 Druze citizens, many of whom serve in the military, has reiterated its commitment to protecting Druze communities in Syria.

The IDF continues to monitor the Golan Heights and prevents any Syrian military buildup near its border, remaining wary of Sharaa and his former ties to extremist groups like al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

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