Israel has threatened to escalate its assaults if Syrian forces do not retreat from the south.

How did it begin?

However, witnesses and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that on Monday, government forces and allied groups, including Bedouins, seized control of several villages near Sweida that were formerly under the control of Druze fighters.

Druze individuals from the Golan and Galilee gather near the ceasefire line, attempting to cross the demilitarized zone into Syria, close to the Majdal Shams village in the Golan Heights. Source: AAP / Atef Safadi / EPA

On Tuesday, following contacts between Damascus authorities and notables from Sweida, the Syrian defence ministry announced a ceasefire after government forces had entered the city.

Syria’s three main Druze spiritual leaders, who sometimes hold differing views on political issues, called on local fighters on Tuesday to lay down their arms.

Terrified residents of Sweida have reported numerous abuses since the entry of government troops and their allies, including executions, looting and burning houses.

Army headquarters, area near presidential palace struck

The Syrian health ministry said at least three people were killed and 34 wounded in the strikes on Damascus.

Civil defence workers inspect the Syrian defence ministry building after it was heavily damaged by Israeli airstrikes. Source: AAP / Ghaith Alsayed/AP

Attacks on Sweida

Sweida province is home to the country’s largest Druze community, followers of an esoteric religion that split from Shi’ite Islam, who are mainly found in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

The dead include 165 government forces but also 27 Druze civilians killed in “summary executions … by members of the defence and interior ministries”, the observatory said.

‘Powerful blows’

He promised troops would “operate forcefully in Sweida to eliminate the forces that attacked the Druze until their full withdrawal”.

People arrive at al-Mouwasat Hospital after Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, Syria. Source: AAP / Ahmad Fallaha / EPA

Katz said “the signals to Damascus are over — now come the painful blows”, sharing Syrian television footage of an explosion in Damascus on his X account.

Syria said the Israeli strikes were a “dangerous escalation” and affirmed “its legitimate rights to defend its land and people”.

New government

Since December, when Sharaa’s group spearheaded an offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against military sites in Syria, saying its goal was to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of the new government.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces fired tear gas to prevent dozens of Druze from crossing the frontier.

US says agreement reached

United States secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday in a post on X that “we have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight”.