( CNN ) -- At least 24 people were killed in cities across Syria during a government crackdown Saturday against those in opposition to President Bashar al-Assad , according to a U.K.-based human rights group . Gunfire and explosions could be heard in the western Syrian city of Homs , as residents contended with fuel shortages and power outages throughout the day , said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . CNN can not independently confirm accounts from the ground in Syria because the government has not provided access to Western media . Also Saturday , Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that al-Assad had passed the `` point of no return -- no way that he will resume his authority or legitimacy over his people . '' `` I think that the world response ... these are real signals that there is acceleration toward the end of this regime , '' he said , citing the responses of the Arab League and Jordan . The clashes come the same day as a deadline set by the 22-member Arab League to put forth a peace plan meant to stem violence against protesters which has resulted in months of bloodshed . Earlier this week , Syria accepted `` in principle '' the alliance 's plan to permit observers into the country to verify whether the regime has taken measures to protect civilians , a senior Arab diplomat said Friday . Originally , 500 observers were believed to be destined for Syria . But on Friday , Arab Doctors Association Head Ibrahim Zafarani said he received an email from Arab League officials that indicated only 40 names would be submitted . U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Friday afternoon that the proposed number had been reduced to 40 . Last week , the league 's 22 nations voted to suspend Syria 's membership , but later gave Damascus three days to implement a protocol to allow observers to enter the nation . International pressure has since been mounting against al-Assad over his regime 's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators , amid concerns that violence in Syria is escalating . CNN 's Yasmin Amer contributed to this report .
NEW : President Bashar al-Assad has passed the `` point of no return , '' says an Israeli minister . 24 people are killed during clashes in Syria , a rights groups says . The violence coincides with an Arab League deadline . Score: 6