Syria and Israel reach ceasefire

WORLD — Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire, US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack announced. According to Barrack’s statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa agreed yesterday evening. The US-brokered ceasefire is embraced by neighboring countries.

After reaching the agreement, Barrack called “upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors.” It appears the US envoy is clinging to a centralized governance for Syria.

Following recent Israeli airstrikes on Suwayda and Daramsuq (Damascus), Syrian government forces withdrew but seem to have again been given limited access to Suwayda Province under the agreement.

Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in the deadly and chaotic conflict of recent days. Israel seemed to be positioning itself as a protector of the Druze, but is now retreating somewhat, allowing the Syrian government to re-exert influence in the south of the country.

Whether this announced ceasefire will hold is uncertain. Previously announced ceasefires failed.