Articles in this Cluster
17-07-2025
Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus and security vehicles in the southern city of Sweida, wounding two civilians. Israel claimed it was acting to protect the Druze minority group in Sweida, where clashes have broken out between Syrian government forces and Druze armed groups. The Israeli military confirmed it had struck the entrance gate of the defence ministry in Damascus and warned it would continue to strike Syrian forces until they withdraw. Syria said its forces were responding to the "source of fire" inside Sweida and blamed militias for violating a ceasefire agreement.
17-07-2025
At least 20 people were killed in a crush at a US-backed aid distribution centre in southern Gaza run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The GHF said 19 were trampled to death and one was stabbed "amid a chaotic and dangerous surge" and blamed people "armed and affiliated with Hamas" for fomenting unrest, a claim denied by Hamas. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with crowds funnelled into narrow passageways, and some reported that security contractors fired tear gas and live rounds, while others said the gates were closed, leading to a crush. The GHF denied using tear gas or firing shots, saying limited pepper spray was used to prevent further loss of life. The incident highlights the desperation and chaos surrounding aid distribution in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people rely on a limited number of distribution points.
17-07-2025
Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has vowed to protect the country's Druze citizens after sectarian violence in Suweida province killed over 350 people. Sharaa stated that government forces had expelled "outlawed groups" and would hand over security to local leaders. He also warned that Syrians were not afraid of war and promised to hold accountable those who abused Druze civilians. The violence began after clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, prompting government forces to deploy to the predominantly Druze city of Suweida. Israel has intervened, conducting air strikes on Syrian military targets, citing the need to protect Druze civilians. The US has agreed on "specific steps" with parties involved to end the violence.
17-07-2025
The US has said it has agreed on "specific steps" to end the violence in Syria's Suweida province after Israeli strikes hit Damascus. The province has seen deadly sectarian fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, with over 350 people reported killed since Sunday. Israel's military struck Syrian defence ministry and government forces in southern Syria for a third day, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it was "working to save our Druze brothers". The Syrian military began to withdraw its forces from Suweida late on Wednesday, as the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agreement to end the violence. Syria's state news agency reported that troops were leaving Suweida as part of an agreement between the government and the province's religious leaders.
17-07-2025
Sectarian violence has broken out in Syria's Druze-majority province of Suweida, killing over 350 people since Sunday, after a Druze merchant was abducted. Israel has launched military strikes against Syrian government forces, claiming it is protecting the Druze minority. The Druze are an Arabic-speaking ethno-religious minority living in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the occupied Golan Heights. Israel has been reaching out to the Druze community near its northern border, positioning itself as a regional protector of minorities. The strikes are aimed at creating a demilitarized zone in southern Syria and deterring the Syrian army from deploying to the area. The international community has condemned the Israeli strikes, with the US expressing concern and several Arab states denouncing the attacks. The violence has raised fears of renewed sectarian attacks and threatens to derail Syria's post-war recovery.
17-07-2025
The Israeli military launched airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, hitting the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters, amid clashes between government forces and Druze armed groups in the southern city of Sweida. The US Trump administration expressed concern over the Israeli strikes, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for "the fighting to stop." The clashes in Sweida have resulted in over 250 deaths, including civilians and security forces, with reports of government forces attacking Druze civilians. Israel has vowed to escalate its involvement, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying "the painful blows have begun." The US had recently lifted sanctions on Syria to encourage investment and stability in the country, which has been struggling to consolidate control after a rebel offensive ousted longtime leader Bashar Assad in December.
17-07-2025
Explosions rocked Damascus after Israel launched strikes on Syria, saying it took military action in support of Syria's Druze population, which has been involved in deadly clashes with Syrian government forces. The strikes came as Syria agreed to withdraw its troops from the southern city of Suwayda under a new ceasefire deal with Druze militia, prompting US officials to scramble to prevent a larger escalation between Israel and Syria.
17-07-2025
Israel launched an airstrike near the entrance of the Syrian Defense Ministry's headquarters, citing its commitment to preventing harm to the Druze minority in southern Syria, with whom Israeli Druze have a "deep brotherhood alliance." The IDF stated it was "striking in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios" amid escalating violence between Druze armed groups and Syrian regime troops in the southern city of Sweida, where clashes resumed despite a temporary truce. The Israeli Prime Minister warned Druze citizens in Israel against crossing into Syria, while Israel's Foreign Minister questioned the international community's inaction in the crisis and reaffirmed Israel's interests in maintaining the status quo near its border and protecting the Druze.
17-07-2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel's strike on Damascus was "likely a misunderstanding" amid rising tensions in Syria. The strike targeted the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters, killing three and injuring nearly three dozen others. Rubio said the US is working to de-escalate the situation and is in communication with both Israel and Syria, as part of a broader effort to stabilize the region and promote peace between Israel and Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
17-07-2025
At least 20 people were killed in an incident near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution site in Khan Younis. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israel and US-backed organization, reported that 19 people were trampled and one was stabbed in a surge "driven by agitators in the crowd." The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claimed 21 Palestinians were killed, including 15 who died of suffocation due to tear gas fired by Israeli forces. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the aid distribution sites, which the UN has condemned as "death traps." Over 875 people have been killed while receiving aid since the GHF sites began operating, with at least 674 killed near GHF distribution sites.
17-07-2025
Israel is increasingly involved in Syria's internal conflict, conducting airstrikes against Syrian government targets, including a defence ministry facility in Damascus. Israel has occupied parts of southern Syria, built military bases, and declared a line of control, citing the need to "protect our communities." Critics argue that Israel is pursuing a policy of "divide and rule" in Syria, weakening the government and creating a buffer zone to protect its border with the occupied Golan Heights. Israel's actions are in contrast to those of the US and European powers, which have normalized relations with Syria's new government and lifted sanctions.
17-07-2025
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has called for an investigation into the killing of 20-year-old Palestinian-American Saif Musallet, who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Musallet's family said he was trying to protect his family's land when he was surrounded by settlers for over three hours, preventing paramedics from reaching him. The incident has drawn concern amid rising violence in the West Bank, with the UN reporting a 13% increase in settler attacks on Palestinians in the first half of 2025. The Israel Defense Forces said they have launched a joint investigation with the Israel Police and Military Police Criminal Investigation Division. The killing has also sparked criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has called on the US government to hold Israel accountable for Musallet's death, citing previous unpunished killings of American citizens by Israeli settlers or soldiers.
17-07-2025
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has called for an "aggressive investigation" into the death of Sayfollah Musallet, a Palestinian-American beaten to death in the village of Sinjil in the West Bank. Musallet, visiting from Florida, was killed along with a 23-year-old man, Mohammed al-Shalabi, who was shot in the chest. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Musallet was fatally beaten by a gang of settlers, prompting Huckabee to demand accountability for the "criminal and terrorist act." The incident began when Palestinians threw rocks, injuring two, and Israeli forces used crowd control methods, though no suspects have been detained in connection with Musallet's killing.
