Syria and Druze minority agree to new ceasefire after Israeli strikes on Damascus

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• William Brangham:

  Welcome to the "News Hour."

  There's word that some Syrian military units are withdrawing from the southern city of Suwayda tonight after days of deadly fighting. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced today that all parties, including Israel, agreed to a cease-fire. But the day began with Israeli strikes in Syria's capital, part of an operation that Israel claimed was to protect a minority group within Syria that it considers an ally.

  Today, the heart of Damascus shaken by huge explosions. Several were captured live on TV, including this one reposted online by Israel's defense minister with his message: "The painful blows have begun."

  The Israeli strikes targeted the headquarters of Syria's Defense Ministry. Another hit the hills near the presidential palace. Israel is scaling up its intervention as unrest in Southern Syria continues to rage. The conflict started in Suwayda, where back-and-forth kidnappings and other attacks between bedouin tribes and Druze militias escalated this week, prompting the Syrian government to send troops into the predominantly Druze region.

  A U.K.-based war monitoring group estimates more than 250 people have been killed.

  James Jeffrey, U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement: The Syrian government tried to mediate between the Druze and these bedouin tribes.

• William Brangham:

  James Jeffrey is a former envoy to Syria during the first Trump administration.

• James Jeffrey:

  The problem is their own troops are as ill-disciplined as the various militias that they're trying to get between, and that led to shooting on all sides and a very unclear situation and a very dangerous one because it involves outside powers, in this case, Israel.

• William Brangham:

  Today, Israel vowed to continue its attacks until Syria withdraws its forces from Suwayda.

• Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister (through interpreter):

  Our interests in Syria are known, first to maintain the status quo in the Southern Syrian region, the second thing, to prevent harm to the Druze community, with which we have a bold and strong relationship with the Druze citizens here in Israel.

• William Brangham:

  Since the fall of Assad, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on military sites in Syria and seized much of the Golan Heights border region. Israel sees the Druze as a loyal minority. Many of those in Israel serve in the Israeli military.

  Today, hundreds of them crowded at the border to protest the violence in Suwayda. Some even crossed into Syria.

• Majd Shaer, Golan Heights Resident:

  I have a big family there, that they suffer a lot there. They have been killed. And it's hard for us to stand here not doing anything.

• William Brangham:

  There are splits within the Druze themselves, but a prominent Druze faction has vowed to continue fighting despite today's cease-fire. The U.N. Security Council will address the conflict tomorrow.