Israel says it allows 48 hours entry of Syrian security in Suwayda

Israel announced it would permit the temporary deployment of Syrian internal security forces in the Suwayda province for 48 hours, citing ongoing instability in southern Syria.

“In light of the ongoing instability in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of the [Syrian] internal security forces into Suwayda district for the next 48 hours,” an unnamed Israeli official told reporters, Caliber.Az reports via The Times of Israel. 

The decision comes amid renewed violence in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda, where clashes erupted on July 13 between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes. Government forces reportedly joined the fighting later.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least 254 people have been killed in four days of conflict, including medical personnel, women, and children.

A temporary truce led to a withdrawal of Syrian troops from the area on July 16. However, violence flared again late on July 17 as clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes resumed, continuing into July 18.

Jerusalem has previously stated it would not permit regime military forces south of Damascus in light of the recent violence.

Syrian authorities have denied plans for renewed deployment. Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddin al-Baba told state media that no new operations in Suwayda were being prepared, rejecting earlier reports from Reuters that suggested otherwise.

Israeli airstrikes have been targeting Syrian military positions in the south, saying their actions are aimed at protecting Druze communities in Syria. Despite these claims, some Druze leaders in Syria have publicly rejected foreign intervention and reaffirmed their support for a unified Syrian state.

By Sabina Mammadli