not everywhere· Politics· Updated 15 Oct, 16:35

Netanyahu Reveals Secret Talk With Syrian President

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Thursday that he held a secret phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Speaking at an election rally in the Druze village of Yarka, Netanyahu stated that the direct intervention was initiated to halt a massacre of the Druze community.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 15 Oct, 16:28

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What happened

01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged holding a secret phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
02Netanyahu revealed the call during an election rally in the Druze village of Yarka on Thursday.
03The Prime Minister stated that the conversation was initiated to stop a massacre of the Druze community.
04According to Netanyahu, the call was placed after an Israeli strike targeted a site within the presidential palace complex in Damascus.
05Netanyahu described the conversation with Assad as very short and very sharp, after which the massacre stopped.
06The Prime Minister pledged to do whatever is necessary to protect the Druze, noting that further undisclosed actions are required.

According to Netanyahu, the call was made after Israel targeted a site within the presidential palace complex in Damascus. He described the subsequent conversation with Assad as very short and very sharp, asserting that the violence against the Druze ceased immediately after the call.

While previous reports have indicated quiet contacts between Israel and Syria, this is the first time Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged a direct conversation with Assad. The Prime Minister pledged to do whatever is necessary to protect the Druze population, adding that there is still undisclosed work to be done.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 15 Oct, 23:16

Latest report: Ynet. Read Ynet’s original