A ceasefire went into effect late Wednesday, easing days of brutal clashes in Sweida. Now, members of its Druze community who fled or went into hiding are returning to search for loved ones and count their losses. They are finding homes looted and bloodied bodies of civilians in the streets.

ToI's diplomatic reporter delves into the secretive religion and why, in championing the underdog minority, Israel may be playing the long game in the region The post Friday Focus with Lazar Berman: Who are the Druze and why is Israel protecting them?

Syrian minority the Druze were at the centre of a new conflict, following another outbreak of violence. What began as fighting between local Bedouin groups and Druze turned into an international conflict that saw Israel bombing