Did Netanyahu’s phone call with Sharaa change Israeli-Syrian relations? - analysis
Damascus has not confirmed the reported conversation between Netanyahu and Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Syrian analysts say direct contacts could reduce tensions but remain far from a peace agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he spoke by phone with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during July 2025 clashes in southern Syria. Netanyahu disclosed the conversation at a Likud campaign event in Yarka, Israel, less than two weeks before the country's elections. The Israeli leader claimed the call helped stop the violence, though Damascus has not confirmed or denied it.
The call came amid Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military targets and a presidential palace compound in Damascus. Syrian officials accused Israel of arming a group to destabilize Sweida Governorate, where the violence originated from Druze-Bedouin clashes. The Syrian government maintained that US mediation, not Netanyahu's call, ended the strikes.
Damascus also reaffirmed its cooperation with the US and Jordan on a roadmap to restore stability in the region. Meanwhile, Israel and Syria pursue US-mediated security negotiations, despite disagreements over Israeli military deployments and Syrian sovereignty. The revelation of the Netanyahu-Sharaa call underscores the potential for reduced tensions between the countries, though analysts caution it does not necessarily signal a near-term peace agreement.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
