ISRAEL bombed Syrian government forces around the city of Sweida today.

The latest Israeli incursion into Syria came as Syrian forces entered the mainly Druze city following two days of deadly sectarian clashes.

About 100 people were reportedly killed during the fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes since Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire saying that an agreement had been reached with local leaders for security forces to enter the city without opposition.

But one Druze leader urged local fighters to resist government forces.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that his far-right government was committed to defending the Druze in Syria due to the ties they had to those living in Israel and the Israeli illegally occupied Golan Heights.

This is the first time that Syrian government forces have deployed to Sweida since a jihadist Western-supported led militia overthrew President Bashar al-Assad last December.

The Druze are one of a number of minority communities with deep suspicions of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government despite his assurances that he will protect them.

Until now, the province of Sweida has largely remained under the control of Druze militias.

Fighting between the Bedouin and Druze in Sweida was reportedly sparked by the robbery and abduction of a Druze merchant on the road to Damascus last week.

Clashes soon spread to other parts of the province, with tribesmen reportedly attacking Druze towns and villages near the city.

Government security forces that were sent in on Monday also clashed with Druze armed groups. During the day, Israel attacked a Syrian army tank and said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority.

In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces.