20-10-2024 (JERUSALEM) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has struck a resolute tone following reports of a drone attack on his private residence in the coastal town of Caesarea. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, has heightened tensions in an already volatile region, with Netanyahu vowing swift retaliation against those responsible.
“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Netanyahu declared in a statement posted on social media platform X. He added, “Anyone who tries to harm Israel’s citizens will pay a heavy price,” signalling an unwavering commitment to Israel’s current military objectives.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that three drones were launched from Lebanon, with two being intercepted and one striking a building in Caesarea. While the IDF did not explicitly state that the prime minister’s residence was the target, US media outlet Axios reported that the drone did indeed hit Netanyahu’s private home.
Fortunately, neither Netanyahu nor his wife were present at the time of the attack, and no injuries were reported. The extent of damage to the property remains unclear.
In a surprising development, Iran’s mission to the United Nations has attributed the attack to Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group closely allied with Tehran. The Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted the mission as saying, “The action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon”. Hezbollah itself has not yet commented on these claims.
This alleged attack comes at a crucial juncture, as Israel prepares its response to Iran’s massive ballistic missile assault on 1 October. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had previously warned that Israel’s retaliation would be “deadly, precise and surprising”.
The incident has further complicated the already intricate web of regional conflicts and alliances. Netanyahu, who divides his time between residences in Caesarea, Jerusalem, and the official prime ministerial residence of Beit Aghion (currently under renovation), now faces increased security concerns.
