By Laila Bassam DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Sectarian clashes escalated in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida on Saturday, with machinegun fire and mortar shelling ringing out after days of bloodshed as the Islamist-led government struggled to implement a ceasefire.

The Israeli military has issued new evacuation warnings for central Gaza, an area where ground operations have been rare.

The Syrian presidency has announced an "immediate ceasefire" in the southern city of Suweida to try to bring an end to a week of sectarian violence that has left hundreds dead

Syria and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said on Friday. The deal was “embraced” by Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries, the ambassador, who also serves as the US special envoy to Syria, said in a post on X.

The official proclamation showing that July 18 is now known as "Ceasefire Indy Day" in honor of activist Ron Gee. Frieson said, "My dad was seen, that his voice was heard, and I hope to be like him someday. She came up with a new campaign too using a catchphrase kids say all the time.

The Syrian government says the week-long sectarian clashes in the southern region of Sweida have now been halted - after the tribal fighters were made to leave.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.

The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to be held from July 21 to August 21, and the government is expected to bring 17 bills for introduction in both Houses.