Dozens of Israeli Druze remain in Syria after border breach: Report

JERUSALEM, Palestine/ISTANBUL

Dozens of Israeli Druze remain in Syria after illegally crossing the border on Wednesday, local media said on Thursday.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said the border area was quiet overnight, and that the Israeli army had returned several Israeli Druze from the buffer zone in coordination with the police, while Syrian Druze who crossed into Israel were also sent back.

However, it added that “dozens of Israeli Druze are still in Syria, and dozens of Syrian Druze are still in Israel.”

It did not specify why the Syrian Druze crossed into Israel, but local reports suggested they fled Suwayda after allegedly committing “violations.”

The broadcaster also said the Israeli army is expected to repair the damaged border fence within 24 hours.

Footage shared on social media on Wednesday showed hundreds of Druze crossing the border fence into Syria on foot, while Israeli soldiers tried to prevent the crossing.

The developments come amid rising tensions within Israel’s Druze community following deadly clashes between armed Druze and Bedouin groups in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, which left at least 30 people dead.

Israel has launched airstrikes in Syria for months on claims of protecting the Druze in the Arab country.

On Wednesday, Syria’s Interior Ministry confirmed a new ceasefire agreement in Suwayda, which includes full reintegration of the province under central government authority.

The deal was announced amid Israeli airstrikes targeting the capital, Damascus, as well as Suwayda and Daraa, on the pretext of protecting the Druze community.