In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian authorities and Druze leaders jointly announced a new ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida on Wednesday, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes that have intensified tensions across the war-torn country.

Syria, on Wednesday, strongly condemned Israeli attacks, denouncing the strikes as a “dangerous escalation .” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel of pursuing a “deliberate policy” to “inflame tensions, spread chaos and undermine security and stability in Syria”.

Israel threatened to escalate attacks on Syrian government forces unless they withdrew from Sweida, a southern province dominated by the country’s Druse minority.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to inflict "painful blows" to the new Syrian government to protect the Druze community in the country