Israel Sends Medical Aid to Syria’s Druze Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Israel has delivered critical medical aid to the Druze community in Syria’s Sweida District, responding to urgent appeals amid escalating violence and the destruction of local medical facilities. The shipment, confirmed by the Health Ministry on Sunday, included trauma care supplies, medications, and life-saving equipment.

Shira Solomon, a spokesperson for the ministry, explained that the transfer was carried out with the support of the Israel Defense Forces and other security agencies. “This action was taken following reports of severe damage to the hospital and in order to provide assistance to the wounded on site,” Solomon said. More aid shipments are already being planned.

The operation was coordinated with American officials, who then informed Syrian authorities of the move, according to Kan News. It followed an emergency meeting of senior Israeli government officials on Saturday night, where the deteriorating situation in Sweida prompted immediate action.

Health Minister Uriel Buso convened a special Shabbat session to discuss the logistics of aid delivery. Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov met with Druze community leaders, doctors from Majdal Shams, and Professor Salman Zarka, director of Ziv Medical Center in Safed, to plan further assistance. “In light of the State of Israel’s commitment to our Druze brethren, the Ministry of Health is mobilizing to transfer medical equipment and medications to better assist the wounded and sick,” Bar Siman Tov stated. “This mission reflects the values guiding our healthcare system and the longstanding alliance with our Druze brethren.”

The aid effort comes as a tenuous ceasefire takes hold following a week of brutal sectarian fighting between Druze militias, Sunni Bedouin gunmen, and Syrian regime forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least 1,120 people have been killed, including 427 Druze fighters and 298 Druze civilians. Disturbingly, at least 194 Druze civilians were executed without trial by regime-affiliated forces.

Israel’s humanitarian response also includes an emergency aid package worth two million shekels ($594,000) announced by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Friday. This package will provide food parcels, medical equipment, first aid kits, and other essential supplies. It follows a similar aid shipment sent to Syrian Druze communities earlier this year.

Despite appeals for international assistance, Jordan has so far refused to open a humanitarian corridor on its border with Syria, complicating the delivery of aid. Druze spiritual leaders in Syria have called on international guarantors of ceasefire agreements to intervene and ensure the safety of civilians.

Meanwhile, the IDF has reinforced its border defenses in the Golan Heights to prevent further cross-border infiltration, installing concrete barriers, barbed wire, and additional checkpoints. Although gatherings of Druze civilians have been reported near the border, no recent infiltration attempts have occurred, and all Israeli Druze who had crossed into Syria have since returned.

Israel’s ongoing support for the Druze community is both a humanitarian gesture and a reaffirmation of a historic alliance that dates back to the early years of the state. As the situation in southern Syria remains uncertain, Israel’s readiness to provide aid underscores its values of solidarity and compassion.

Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about Israel’s humanitarian efforts and regional developments.