According to the observatory, at least 1,120 people have been killed since the conflict reignited on July 13, following a series of retaliatory kidnappings between Druze and Bedouin communities.

DAMASCUS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli airstrikes across Syria's western Sweida province and a tribal offensive on areas controlled by Arab religious group Druze continue to jeopardize lasting peace, despite both sides agreeing to a cessation of hostilities over the weekend.

Late Sunday into early Monday, Israeli warplanes and drones launched a series of airstrikes across western Sweida province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes targeted several locations along roads in the northern and eastern towns, including al-Mazraa and Umm al-Zeitoun. The village of Dama was also reportedly hit, possibly by drone fire. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were available.

In a surprising development, Israeli helicopters were seen flying over Sweida, reportedly dropping aid to civilians. Meanwhile, Syrian government internal security forces withdrew from parts of the province after the expiration of an earlier truce deadline.

Heavy clashes erupted in the towns of Areeqa and Umm al-Zeitoun along the Damascus-Sweida highway, where tribal fighters allegedly committed property violations, including looting and burning homes, according to the observatory.

Key routes connecting Dama, Areeqa, and Najran in Druze-controlled areas were severed amid escalating hostilities. Syrian forces' attempts to prevent tribal fighters from entering Druze villages also seem to have failed. A planned prisoner exchange in Umm al-Zeitoun was suspended after mortar shells, allegedly fired from tribal positions in northern Sweida, landed near the town.

Earlier on Sunday, Druze fighters had retaken Areeqa, while tribal forces seized the nearby village of Rima Hazem. The escalated tensions raised concerns that the fragile ceasefire could be on the brink of collapse.

Tensions flared in the Druze-controlled areas of southern Syria last week, where local tribal fighters clashed with pro-government forces. After Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in defense of the Druze, a ceasefire was brokered between the two sides.

According to the observatory, at least 1,120 people have been killed since the conflict reignited on July 13, following a series of retaliatory kidnappings between Druze and Bedouin communities.