Report: Israel Agrees to US Request to Halt Strikes in Southern Syria

Israel has reportedly agreed to a US request to cease its strikes on Syrian military forces in southern Syria, a US official told Axios.

This development comes as the death toll from ongoing clashes in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida has risen to 203, according to a war monitor.

The violence in Sweida province has seen intense fighting between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters, leading to the deployment of Syrian government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the fatalities include 92 members of the Druze minority, with 21 of them civilians “killed in summary executions by government forces,” alongside 93 security personnel and 18 Bedouin.

Israel had been conducting a series of strikes on Syrian military targets, asserting that its actions were aimed at protecting Syria’s Druze community. This stance was maintained even after Damascus had reportedly informed Jerusalem that its troop movements into southern Syria were intended to break up the clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin gangs, not directed at Israel.

Prior to these strikes, Israel is said to have issued warnings to interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa against harming the Druze population. Channel 12 reported that multiple communications were conveyed to Damascus through diplomatic channels, including American and French ones.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar was quoted by Channel 12 stating, “If the Syrian regime harms the Druze, they will have given us no choice but to interfere.”

Israel’s objective was to preemptively defuse the unrest, and when diplomatic efforts reportedly failed, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes as promised. This included an earlier strike on the presidential palace, intended as a clear signal of deterrence.

The United States was reportedly informed in advance and kept updated throughout these developments.

Following the strikes, Syrian officials reportedly “got the message,” initiating internal processes in response. A senior Israeli official, cited by Channel 12, indicated that recent events highlight growing instability in Syria and cast doubt on the regime’s ability to govern effectively. The official added that if the situation does not improve, Israel sees little chance of even a modest breakthrough in talks with the new Syrian government.