Dozens of Israeli, Syrian Druze Remain Across Borders

(MENAFN) Local media reported on Thursday that dozens of Israeli Druze stayed in Syria after unlawfully crossing the border on Wednesday.

According to an Israeli public broadcaster, the border region remained calm overnight.

The Israeli military, in cooperation with the police, returned several Israeli Druze from the buffer zone.

Similarly, Syrian Druze who crossed into Israel were also sent back.

However, the broadcaster noted that “dozens of Israeli Druze are still in Syria, and dozens of Syrian Druze are still in Israel.”

The broadcaster did not clarify the reasons behind the Syrian Druze crossing into Israel, but local sources indicated they fled Suwayda following alleged “violations.”

Additionally, the report mentioned that the Israeli army plans to fix the damaged border fence within 24 hours.

Videos circulated on social media on Wednesday displayed hundreds of Druze crossing the border fence on foot into Syria, while Israeli soldiers attempted to stop the crossings.

These events come amid escalating tensions within Israel’s Druze community after violent clashes between armed Druze and Bedouin factions in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, resulting in at least 30 fatalities.

For several months, Israel has conducted airstrikes in Syria, citing the protection of the Druze population in the Arab nation.

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