Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Hezbollah of attempting to assassinate him, intensifying the already high tensions between Israel and the militant group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that the Iranian-supported armed group Hezbollah attempted to assassinate him and his wife, following an attack on his vacation home by a drone launched from Lebanon.
On Saturday morning, three explosive-laden UAVs were seen heading towards Caesarea, a coastal town in northern Israel. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) successfully intercepted two of the drones; however, a third detonated near the prime minister’s private residence. Fortunately, Netanyahu and his wife were not at home during this incident and no casualties occurred in the area.
Although Hezbollah did not take responsibility for the Caesarea strike, the pro-Palestinian group announced additional attacks on northern and central Israel on Saturday, as reported by Al Jazeera.
In a post on X, Netanyahu delivered a stern warning to Hezbollah and its backers in Tehran. He stated, “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah made a grave mistake with their attempt to assassinate me and my wife today.” He further emphasized that the attack “will not deter me or the State of Israel from pursuing our rightful battle against our adversaries to ensure our future security.”
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He went on to say, “To Iran and its proxies within the axis of evil: anyone who attempts to harm Israel’s citizens will face severe consequences.”
The prime minister vowed to rescue the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and ensure the safe return of Israeli residents to areas near Lebanon’s border, which have often been targeted by Hezbollah fire.
He concluded by stating that Israel is resolute in accomplishing all its war goals and altering the security landscape of their region for future generations.
Approximately 70,000 Israelis have had to abandon their homes due to Hezbollah attacks beginning in October 2023. Last month, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) increased airstrikes on Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Hezbollah members, including its longstanding leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 2,000 individuals have lost their lives as a result of these Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.
On Friday, Hezbollah declared that its military conflict with Israel was moving into “a new and escalatory phase.” The organization pledged to persist in launching rockets and drones across the border in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in warfare against Hamas for more than a year.
