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Netanyahu Says Call Ended Druze Massacre, Demanded Syrian Withdrawal

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 7:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, ending the Druze massacre.
The July 16, 2025 call at 1:30 p.m. saw Netanyahu demand Syrian forces leave As-Suwayda by 10:00 p.m., rejecting a 48-hour request.
Hours later the IDF struck central Damascus, hitting the presidential palace complex and the chief-of-staff building.
Netanyahu pledged Israel will protect Druze civilians, help them return home, and called it the first leader-to-leader contact.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, ending the Druze massacre.
The July 16, 2025 call at 1:30 p.m. saw Netanyahu demand Syrian forces leave As-Suwayda by 10:00 p.m., rejecting a 48-hour request.
Hours later the IDF struck central Damascus, hitting the presidential palace complex and the chief-of-staff building.
Netanyahu pledged Israel will protect Druze civilians, help them return home, and called it the first leader-to-leader contact.