Israel Sending Humanitarian Aid to Druze in Syria

As tensions escalate in southern Syria, Israel announced on Friday the deployment of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Druze population in Sweida province. The region has endured days of deadly conflict involving Druze militias, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces.

Humanitarian Support Amid Crisis

The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had authorized the immediate delivery of aid in response to the worsening humanitarian conditions in Sweida. The assistance package, valued at two million shekels (approximately $600,000), includes essential food supplies and medical equipment.

The ministry emphasized that this is not the first time Israel has extended support to the Druze in Syria—similar aid shipments were sent in March of this year. The Druze, a religious minority group with longstanding ties to Israel, have been caught in the crossfire of recent sectarian violence that has engulfed their heartland.

Sectarian Violence and Military Action

Sweida province, predominantly inhabited by Druze communities, became the scene of intense fighting earlier this week. The violence reportedly claimed the lives of hundreds, as clashes erupted between local Druze armed groups, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and forces loyal to the Syrian government. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 594 people have died as a result of the violence.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, Israel launched targeted airstrikes against Syrian military positions in and around the Sweida region. According to Israeli officials, these strikes aimed to both prevent Syrian troop deployments near the Israeli border and protect the Druze population from further harm. On Wednesday, Israeli forces also bombarded government buildings in Damascus, a move widely seen as a strategic pressure tactic aimed at compelling the Syrian government to pull back its forces from Druze territories.

Following these actions, Syrian government troops began withdrawing from Sweida on Thursday, marking a pause in the military escalation.

Denial of Further Strikes

Despite continued tensions, the Israeli military on Friday dismissed claims made by Syria’s official news agency, SANA, which alleged that Israel had conducted additional airstrikes near Sweida on Thursday night. Israeli defense officials rejected those reports, asserting that no further strikes were carried out in that area during the specified time.

Broader Implications

This latest development comes amid a fragile security climate in Syria, where sectarian divisions and foreign interventions remain persistent challenges. The Druze, who have historically maintained a degree of autonomy, are once again at the center of a regional power struggle.

Israel’s aid initiative underscores both its concern for the Druze minority and its strategic interest in containing threats near its northern border. While the delivery of humanitarian aid is a positive gesture, it also reflects Israel’s broader efforts to maintain stability and influence in the volatile region.