1,000 Druze Cross Israel-Syria Border Amid Sweida Clashes, Israel Launches Airstrikes

Tensions along the Israel-Syria border escalated as approximately 1,000 Israeli Druze crossed into Syria's Druze-majority Sweida region amid violent clashes between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces. In response to the Syrian regime's aggression against the Druze community, Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian military targets, including convoys and infrastructure in Damascus and Sweida, aiming to protect the Druze population. Despite a declared ceasefire, clashes persisted with reports of civilian casualties, and the Syrian government condemned the Israeli strikes as illegal and criminal acts. On the border, Israeli forces used tear gas and deployed reinforcements to prevent further unauthorized crossings from Syria, while also attempting to return Israeli Druze who had entered Syrian territory. Druze leaders in Israel declared a general strike and called for mass rallies, urging Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz to act decisively against the Syrian regime, framing the conflict as crucial for the Druze community's survival. The situation remains volatile, with Israel warning of continued airstrikes unless Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida.