The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reported that dozens of Israeli Druze civilians crossed the border into Syria overnight, amid intensifying violence in southern Syria's Sweida province.
The incident took place near Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. According to the IDF, Israeli soldiers and Border Police attempted to control a violent crowd of civilians, but several individuals managed to cross into Syrian territory.
The IDF condemned the breach, stating that "crossing the border into Syria is a criminal offense that endangers both civilians and security personnel." Efforts are currently underway to return those who entered Syria.
This comes amid rising tensions due to sectarian violence in Syria. Deadly clashes erupted last week involving Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and interim Syrian government forces. The violence has severely destabilized the region.
On Saturday, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syria&rsquo;s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed to a ceasefire, brokered by the United States. The deal follows Israeli airstrikes launched in response to the escalating conflict.
Sweida province has become the epicenter of the worst intra-Syrian violence in years. Initially triggered by a local dispute between the Druze and Bedouin communities, the situation quickly spiraled into widespread urban warfare involving Syrian state forces.
As of Thursday, nearly 600 people were reported killed, including numerous civilians and fighters from all factions, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Dozens of Druze Cross into Syria from Israel

Dozens of Israeli Druze enter Syria as Sweida violence escalates into urban warfare

Dozens of Druze Cross into Syria from Israel

Dozens of Israeli Druze enter Syria as Sweida violence escalates into urban warfare

July 19, 2025 | 19:48 IST