Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly revealed for the first time that he held a direct conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a wave of killings targeting Druze civilians in Syria. Speaking at an election gathering with members of the Druze community, Netanyahu described the exchange as “a very short, very sharp conversation” that took place amid the violence in Suwayda last year. He stated that the massacre of Druze civilians stopped following that discussion. Netanyahu also referenced Israeli military actions, noting that forces had struck the Ministry of Defense in Damascus and hit inside the presidential palace compound before the phone call occurred. He framed the intervention as part of a firm commitment to protect Druze communities, calling them “our brethren” and promising to do whatever is necessary to ensure their safety and eventual return to their homes. The remarks mark a rare public disclosure of high-level contact between the Israeli leader and the Syrian president during a period of intense regional tension.

Netanyahu told the audience he could not share every operational detail but insisted the commitment to stop the bloodshed came “from the very depths of my soul.” He emphasized that the brief exchange with al-Sharaa produced an immediate effect on the ground, bringing an end to the killings that had been underway. The revelation comes as Netanyahu addresses domestic political audiences while underscoring Israel’s readiness to act beyond its borders when it believes allied or related communities face existential threats. Officials and attendees at the event heard him stress that work remains unfinished and that people must be able to return safely to their homes. The account adds a striking personal dimension to earlier reports of Israeli strikes inside Syria, linking military pressure directly to a diplomatic intervention that Netanyahu says achieved results. Many are now examining how such a short conversation could have shifted the course of events so decisively in a complex and volatile conflict zone.