Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack said on 18 July. Barrack told reporters the accord was reached between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa and is backed by neighbouring Turkey and Jordan. Barrack urged Druze, Bedouin and Sunni fighters to lay down their arms and “build a new and united Syrian identity,” adding that regional minorities should participate in post-war reconstruction. He did not disclose the operational terms or duration of the truce but said all sides were "rushing toward a deal" that could pave the way for broader negotiations. The ceasefire follows the resumption of direct contacts between Damascus and Jerusalem announced by Barrack on 7 July, and comes days after Israeli air-strikes in Damascus that targeted Syrian military sites amid escalating clashes in Suweida province. Those strikes were described by Israel as an effort to protect Druze communities after deadly fighting with Bedouin tribes. Diplomats say the truce is intended to halt cross-border attacks and create conditions for a wider political settlement after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Barrack indicated that Washington will continue to press for disarmament of non-state actors and the revival of stalled Lebanese talks, but cautioned that further progress depends on compliance with the ceasefire and sustained regional support.