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Netanyahu confirms ceasefire, Syrian withdrawal from Sweida due to 'forceful action'

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:34:11 GMT

"I instructed the IDF to act with force because the Damascus regime sent its army south of the capital and massacred the Druze," Netanyahu said.

Syrian detente hopes dim as president accuses Israel of sowing ‘chaos and destruction’ with strikes

BY PHILISSA CRAMER/JTA — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:33:58 GMT

“The Israeli entity resorted to a wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities,” Shaara said the situation was easing with the intervention of the US, Arab, and Turkish mediators.

US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites - NBC

BY REUTERS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:50:02 GMT

The two other facilities that the US struck were not as badly damaged and may have been degraded only to a point where nuclear enrichment could resume in the next several months.

Israel's attacks on Damascus hinder chemical weapons search, Syrian official says

BY REUTERS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:38:41 GMT

The OPCW will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday next week to discuss the situation and impact of the Israeli attacks.

Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan

BY REUTERS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:34:15 GMT

A drone attack targeted an oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan this Thursday, in what represents a big hit that lowers oil output between 140,000 and 150,000 barrels per day.

Western diplomats were within meters of Israeli strikes in Damascus, sources say

BY REUTERS AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:22:50 GMT

No one in the convoy was injured, and it continued on its way, the people said, declining to give further details on the nationalities or number of those involved.

Russia says Israeli strikes are 'gross violation' of Syria's sovereignty

BY REUTERS AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:18:46 GMT

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the attacks against the Druze Community in Syria were "deeply concerning."

Israel's decisive Syria strikes highlight need for intervention in preventing genocides - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:27:37 GMT

For many Jews, the images of Druze men having their mustaches forcibly shaved conjure up memories of the Holocaust.

Fire at mall in Iraq leaves at least 60 dead, officials say

BY REUTERS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:27:07 GMT

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, INA reported.

Syria's interim president says protecting Druze a 'priority'

BY REUTERS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 06:29:46 GMT

In his first televised statement Sharaa addressed Druze citizens saying "we reject any attempt to drag you into hands of an external party."

Elderly Druze Sheikh dies after humiliation by Syrian HTS

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:53:25 GMT

Sources close to the Sheikh confirm his death after a viral video circulated the internet showing Shahine, 80, being publicly humiliated by members of HTS in al-Tha'la.

Rubio: US has engaged with all parties in Syria clashes, agreed on steps to end situation

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF AND REUTERS — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:25:32 GMT

Rubio said that steps must be taken by "all parties to deliver on commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do."

Drone strikes shut oilfields in Iraq's Kurdistan, cut output by up to 150,000 bpd

BY REUTERS — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:37:38 GMT

Several oilfields halted operations due to significant infrastructure damage, the Kurdistan region's Natural Resources Ministry said.

Iran has become the paper tiger in the room: Even when cornered, it can still lash out - analysis

BY HERB KEINON — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:05:58 GMT

For over three decades, Iran has carefully cultivated the image of a fierce regional power with unstoppable momentum, but during the 12-Day War, its image took a major blow.

Syrian Druze fly Israeli flag on roof in Sweida as IDF strikes regime targets - report

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:45:09 GMT

The footage was also recirculated across Israeli media, including public broadcaster, KAN News.

Netanyahu: 'My Druze brothers, do not cross the border into Syria, let the IDF do its job'

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:23:37 GMT

Israeli officials react to the ongoing violence in Syria's Sweida between regime forces and the local Druze community.

UAE president visits Turkey to deepen strategic ties with Erdogan - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:20:01 GMT

“The two leaders affirmed their countries' keenness to support all efforts and endeavors made to achieve regional peace and stability, which would benefit all peoples of the region,” the report said.

Syria conflict grows as Egypt and Jordan warn of regional instability

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:35:48 GMT

As the crisis grows regionally, it is likely that more countries will seek to become involved.

Druze clashes in Syria escalate as Israel faces tough border choices - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:09:29 GMT

Israel has vowed to support the Druze; however, this is easier said than done.

Israel's Druze community declares day of rage, prepares to invade Syria if necessary

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:09:36 GMT

"Silence and standing idly by are no longer an option,” Druze leader Sheikh Mowafak Tarif wrote.

Lebanon central bank bans institutions from interacting with Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan

BY REUTERS AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:55:29 GMT

Hezbollah has been grappling with acute financial strains, US demands for its disarmament, and diminished political clout since a new cabinet took office in February with US support.

'To live without fear': Israeli Druze leader shares vision for Syrian community

BY WALLA! — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:50:34 GMT

Druze leader warns of massacres under Syria’s new regime, urges Israel to take the threat seriously amid growing violence in Sweida .

Katz: IDF to raise level of attacks on Syrian regime if it doesn't leave Druze city

BY YONAH JEREMY BOB — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:55:58 GMT

As of Wednesday morning, clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed just hours after a ceasefire was announced.

Israeli delegation requests meeting with Qatari, Egyptian mediators on Gaza deal

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:39:18 GMT

Israel is expected to present additional flexibility regarding the deployment of IDF troops during the ceasefire.

Syria's aviation comeback struggles amid regional turmoil - analysis

BY REUTERS — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:36:31 GMT

Airlines are worried about the state of Syria's aviation infrastructure and management of the industry.

US, European allies agree on August deadline for Iran nuclear deal – report

BY REUTERS AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:10:41 GMT

If Iran and the US cannot reach a deal by August, Germany, France, and the UK will reimpose UNSC sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Iran deal.

ISIS likely culprit behind attack on US-backed SDF in east Syria - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:19:03 GMT

This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria.

Jordan wants stability in southern Syria but unclear if it's willing to help - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:17:52 GMT

The Jordanian spokesperson “reiterated Jordan’s support for the Syrian government’s efforts to rebuild the country on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, and sovereignty."

Israel risks overplaying its hand in Syria amid Druze-Bedouin conflicts - analysis

BY YONAH JEREMY BOB — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:04:25 GMT

The longer al-Sharaa acts on big issues and Israel intervenes in questionable matters not clearly threatening Israeli interests, the faster Israel may lose the key cards it holds in Syria.

Will Israel’s airstrikes help the Druze in Syria? - analysis

BY SETH J. FRANTZMAN — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:51:20 GMT

Israel’s intervention escalated with more airstrikes and officials' comments, raising questions about what might come next and if the limited intervention will help the Druze.