Israeli leaders said they launched attacks on Syria this week to protect members of the Druze religious group in the country’s south, amid clashes in the area.

Sharply escalating tensions in Syria appeared to ease on Thursday following a new ceasefire, a day after Israel bombed Damascus and threatened further attacks under the pretext of "protecting the Druze" amid sectarian clashes in the southern province of Sweida.

A ceasefire appears to be holding in Syria's south, with government troops moving out of the city of Sweida overnight. The US had intervened to end days of fighting between government forces and fighters from the Druze minority group.

In Syria's Druze city of Sweida, sectarian violence has led to numerous deaths, with government forces clashing with Druze militia. The violence worsened after the government's arrival, deepening distrust of the Islamist-led government in Damascus.

After days of bloodshed in Syria's Druze city of Sweida, survivors emerged on Thursday to collect and bury the scores of dead found across the city. A ceasefire overnight brought an end to ferocious fighting between Druze militia and government forces sent to the city to quell clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters.

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Israel has launched strikes against Syrian government forces near the Israeli border to protect the Druze minority, as clashes between armed Druze groups and Bedouin fighters escalate. Israeli officials cited deep connections with Druze citizens as the reason for the intervention,