Story perspectives

Netanyahu Says He Called Syria’s President to End Massacre

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Netanyahu said he phoned Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, ending the Druze massacre.
He announced the call while visiting the Druze village of Yarka in northern Israel.
The call followed Israel’s July 2025 bombing of Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus.
July 2025 fighting in Suwayda killed more than 1,700 people, mainly Druze civilians.
Netanyahu pledged to do whatever is necessary to protect Israel’s Druze community.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 Yom Kippur War began on 6 October when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack, driving Israel into a fight that ended with a UN cease-fire on 25 October; Arab forces lost 120 tanks on 20 October. The conflict spurred U.S. shuttle diplomacy by Henry Kissinger, producing 1974 disengagement accords that set a diplomatic precedent echoed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s July 2025 call to President Ahmad al-Sharaa after the Suwayda bombing.

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Story summary

Netanyahu said he phoned Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, ending the Druze massacre.
He announced the call while visiting the Druze village of Yarka in northern Israel.
The call followed Israel’s July 2025 bombing of Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus.
July 2025 fighting in Suwayda killed more than 1,700 people, mainly Druze civilians.
Netanyahu pledged to do whatever is necessary to protect Israel’s Druze community.

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