**Ceasefire Declared in Southern Syria Amid Ongoing Conflict and Gaza Students Face Dire Exam Conditions**

In a dramatic turn of events, the Syrian government has announced a ceasefire in the southern province of Sueda after a week of intense fighting, as the region grapples with escalating violence from Israel’s airstrikes. President Ahmed Shar’s televised address urged all factions to lay down their arms and unite for peace, yet the situation remains precarious. Tribal fighters have flooded into Sueda to support the Bedwin community, which claims to be facing brutal attacks from rival Druze factions, while reports of sporadic fighting continue to surface.

Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its military operations, targeting key installations in Syria and Lebanon, including the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus. These airstrikes, framed by Israel as protective measures for the Druze community, have drawn minimal pushback from the U.S., with Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplaying the assaults as a “misunderstanding.” Analysts warn that these actions signify a broader Israeli strategy of territorial expansion amid the chaos.

In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis deepens as students struggle to take their final exams under dire conditions. With 95% of educational institutions damaged or destroyed, Gaza’s education ministry has resorted to an online platform to facilitate exams. Students, logging in from makeshift shelters and cafes, face severe challenges: unreliable internet, lack of devices, and the trauma of ongoing bombardments. For these young Palestinians, these exams represent not just a test but a fragile hope for a future beyond the devastation wrought by war.

As the conflict rages on, the plight of civilians remains dire, with reports of starvation and casualties mounting daily. The world watches as the situation in Syria and Gaza unfolds, a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and humanitarian aid amidst relentless violence.