Tensions escalated along the Israel-Syria border as dozens of Israeli Druze crossed from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights into southern Syria, the Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday. The crossing reportedly occurred from Majdal Shams into the Druze village of Hader, amid fierce clashes between Druze militias and Syrian interim government forces.
The Israeli army said it is working to safely return the civilians. The movement follows calls on social media from Druze communities in Lebanon urging solidarity with their Syrian counterparts in Sweida.
In response to escalating violence, Israel launched airstrikes on convoys of Syrian forces in and around Sweida, killing and injuring multiple soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the strikes targeted threats aimed at the Druze population. Syria condemned the Israeli attacks, reporting civilian and military casualties.
Despite a declared ceasefire by Syria&rsquo;s defence minister, violence persisted. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) accused Syrian forces and allied militias of executing at least 19 Druze civilians, including 12 in a family guest house.
The Druze, an ethnoreligious group with roots in Islam, reside primarily in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, often navigating complex loyalties in regional conflicts.
[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.]

Israeli Druze Cross Border Amid Syria Clashes

Tensions rise as Israeli Druze join Syria’s conflict; Netanyahu orders retaliatory strikes

Israeli Druze Cross Border Amid Syria Clashes

Tensions rise as Israeli Druze join Syria’s conflict; Netanyahu orders retaliatory strikes

July 16, 2025 | 14:56 IST