Netanyahu Reveals He Spoke With Syrian Leader to Halt Druze Massacre
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed he spoke with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shar'a to halt a massacre of Druze in Syria, stating the brief, sharp call led to the violence stopping. Netanyahu pledged Israel's protection for the Druze community at a conference on Thursday. The 2025 massacre involved hundreds of deaths and war crimes, prompting Israeli diplomatic action and strikes on Syrian targets. Further efforts are underway to assist the Druze, including their return to homes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shar'a to stop a Druze massacre.
- Netanyahu stated the brief, sharp conversation with al-Shar'a led to the cessation of the massacre.
- The 2025 massacre in Syria involved hundreds of deaths and war crimes against the Druze.
- Netanyahu pledged Israel's commitment to protecting the Druze community.
- Israel conducted strikes on Syrian targets, including the Ministry of Defense, during the events.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Thursday that he spoke directly with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shar'a to demand an end to a massacre of Druze in Syria, stating the brief, sharp conversation led to the cessation of violence. Netanyahu made these remarks at a conference with the Druze community, where he pledged Israel's commitment to protecting its Druze "brothers." He emphasized that while much work remains, his commitment is profound and he will do "whatever it takes" to prevent such atrocities from continuing.
Netanyahu described the call to al-Shar'a as "very short, very sharp," and said that "the massacre stopped." He also alluded to Israeli actions in Damascus, stating that Israel "took down the Ministry of Defense in Damascus" and "took down a hand inside a palace complex." The Prime Minister indicated that further efforts are needed, including assisting Druze in returning to their homes, but could not disclose all details.
The article details that the 2025 massacre of Druze in Syria involved killings, extrajudicial executions, and war crimes by the Syrian transitional government led by Ahmed al-Shar'a and Sunni Bedouin militias. The violence occurred in two main waves: April-May in Damascus suburbs like Jaramana and Sakhnaya, and a more lethal wave in July in the southern province of al-Suwayda, also known as the Druze Mountain. Hundreds were killed in July, including Druze civilians, with reports of abducted women and children.
The events caused significant shock within Israel's Druze community, leading to protests and attempts by citizens to cross the border into Syria, alongside the establishment of humanitarian aid hubs. Pressure mounted on the Israeli government to intervene, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu's diplomatic engagement with Syrian leadership and Israeli strikes on Syrian regime targets, including the Ministry of Defense, in response to the violence.
