'Build New Syrian Identity': US Brokers Israel-Syria Ceasefire As Clashes Rock Druze Heartland

Last Updated:July 19, 2025, 07:32 IST

Israel carried out with major strikes in the heart of the capital Damascus, including hitting the army's headquarters, earlier this week.

Israel-Syria ceasefire: US announces truce (Reuters Image)

The United States announced on Saturday that it had negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian government as fresh clashes broke out in Syria’s Druze heartland after violence that led to massive Israeli strikes.

At least 638 people have been killed since Sunday in fighting between the Druze and Bedouins, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The violence has raised doubts about the leadership of Syria’s interim head, Ahmed al-Sharaa. On Wednesday, Israel carried out major airstrikes in central Damascus, including a strike on the Syrian army’s headquarters.

Tom Barrack, US Special Envoy for Syria, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sharaa have agreed to a ceasefire negotiated by the United States.

Barrack, an ambassador to Turkey, said that the deal was backed by Ankara, a key supporter of Sharaa.

“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 Türkiye, Jordan and its neighbors. 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," Tom Barrack, Special Envoy for Syria, tweeted.

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News world 'Build New Syrian Identity': US Brokers Israel-Syria Ceasefire As Clashes Rock Druze Heartland