Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria resulted in the deaths of at least 15 defense and interior ministry personnel amid ongoing sectarian violence in the Suweida province. Prime Minister Netanyahu justified the attacks as necessary to protect the Druze minority from what he described as "disguised jihadists" under the new Syrian administration.

Israel launched several deadly airstrikes that targeted Syrian government forces in Sweida. The attack came as sectarian violence flared between Druse fighters and Bedouin tribal groups.

Israel says it is intervening to protect Syria’s Druze residents who have strong ties to Israel’s Druze community. Damascus called the attack a violation of sovereignty.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it looked like a "misunderstanding" after Israel struck Syria's defense ministry.

(Reuters) -Clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, just hours after a ceasefire was announced. Local news outlet Sweida24 said the city and nearby villages were coming under heavy artillery and mortar fire early on Wednesday,