Syria's government misread how Israel would respond to its troops deploying to the country's south this week, encouraged by U.S. messaging that Syria should be governed as a centralized state, eight sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

US envoy Tom Barrack announces a ceasefire between Israel and Syria after deadly sectarian violence in Sweida. Nearly 80,000 displaced, as the humanitarian crisis deepens and tensions persist.

Deadly sectarian clashes in Syria eased Thursday, after a ceasefire was announced between groups fighting in the Druze-majority southern province and Israel signaled air strikes over recent days were suspended.