According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Israel sent humanitarian aid and medical equipment to Syria’s Sweida province, where the majority of the population is Druze
The delivery took place overnight, in coordination with the United States, which mediated contact with the Syrian government.
The broadcaster said it could not disclose further details about how the operation was carried out for now.
The Israeli Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that its security forces were ready to send medicines and medical equipment to a hospital in Sweida, which was severely damaged in recent conflicts, as soon as they received authorization from the appropriate authorities.
Israeli Health Minister Uriel Buso emphasized the special relationship with the Druze community: “Our connection with the Druze is well-known, but beyond that, we have a commitment to life.
We cannot remain indifferent when members of this community, inside or outside Israel, are in danger.”
The aid delivery came as a ceasefire announced on Saturday appears to be holding.
Previous agreements failed to end the clashes between Druze and Bedouin, which escalated and involved the Islamist-led government, the Israeli army, and armed groups from other parts of Syria.
Reports indicate that more than 1,100 people have died in the sectarian violence that has gripped the region over the past week.
AFP journalists on the outskirts of the city of Sweida reported no fighting on Sunday morning, and Syrian government forces have been deployed to some parts of the province to enforce the ceasefire.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the ceasefire on Saturday and reinforced his promise to protect the country’s ethnic and religious minorities amid the recent wave of sectarian violence that began after the ouster of former leader Bashar al-Assad in December.
A representative of Syria’s council of tribes and clans told Al Jazeera that fighters had left the city of Sweida, complying with the presidency’s request and the terms of the agreement.
A local doctor confirmed to AFP by telephone that “the situation is completely calm, without conflict.”
The approximately 150,000 residents of Sweida were confined to their homes, without access to electricity, water, or sufficient food.
An AFP photographer reported that the morgue at the city’s main hospital was overflowing, with bodies strewn on the ground outside.
The United Nations (UN) reported that more than 128,000 people in Sweida province have been displaced by the violence.
Suwayda, Syria the aftermath after the Islamist groups have left the Druze city pic.twitter.com/2rYq4Eq0GW
? Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 20, 2025
Appeals for Peace
Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, declared on Sunday that the country is at a critical juncture and that “peace and dialogue must now prevail.” He called on all armed groups to lay down their weapons and abandon tribal violence, stating that “brutal acts by warring factions undermine the government’s authority and undermine any attempt to maintain order.”
The ceasefire was brokered by the United States between the Syrian government and Israel, which carried out bombings against government forces in Sweida and Damascus earlier this week.
Israel, which has its own Druze community, said it was acting to protect the group and to demand the full demilitarization of southern Syria.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday urged Syrian security forces to prevent jihadists from entering the south of the country and prevent massacres, and urged the Damascus government to bring to justice anyone responsible for atrocities, including members of its own ranks.
Published in 07/21/2025 02h12
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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