After days of bloodshed in Syria's Druze city of Sweida, survivors emerged on Thursday to collect and bury the scores of dead found across the city. A ceasefire overnight brought an end to ferocious fighting between Druze militia and government forces sent to the city to quell clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters.

Israel launched targeted airstrikes in Syria’s Suwayda region amid escalating clashes involving Druze militias and Syrian forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes as both a strategic move and a moral obligation to protect the Druze community.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that his government has adopted a clear policy to demilitarize the area stretching from south of the Syrian capital to the Jabal al-Druze region in southern Syria.

In Syria's Druze city of Sweida, sectarian violence has led to numerous deaths, with government forces clashing with Druze militia. The violence worsened after the government's arrival, deepening distrust of the Islamist-led government in Damascus.

The United States said on Thursday it did not support recent Israeli strikes on Syria and had made clear its displeasure, while Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture his country and promised to protect its Druze minority.

Druze leader Youssef Jarbu'a confirmed the regime’s claim that a ceasefire had been reached. However, shelling and gunfire continued in various parts of the Druze-majority province

Hundreds of Druze from Israel pushed across the border in solidarity with their Syrian cousins they feared were under attack. Many then met relatives never seen before.

Syria's defense minister has announced a ceasefire just hours after government forces entered a key city in the volatile Sweida province.