Netanyahu says he called Sharaa during anti-Druze violence in 2025

Benjamin Netanyahu said on October 15 that he telephoned Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during violence against Druze communities in 2025. Israel's prime minister linked the end of the bloodshed to that conversation.

Netanyahu recalled Israeli strikes on the general staff building in Damascus and a target in the presidential compound. He said he then held a brief and forceful phone conversation with Sharaa.

Addressing Druze representatives, the prime minister pledged to take necessary action to protect the community.

In September 2025, Sharaa confirmed talks with Israel over a security agreement. He said the aim was to secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied positions.

In November 2025, Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that withdrawal disagreements had stalled the negotiations. At a meeting with Netanyahu on December 29 that year, Donald Trump expressed hope for normalisation between Israel and Syria.