Hezbollah has confirmed that it was behind the drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea on Oct. 19. The Israeli internal security agency, Shin Bet, reported that the drone struck the residence while Netanyahu and his wife Sara were not home.
The drone, one of three launched from Lebanon, caused damage near Netanyahu's bedroom window, shattering glass and damaging both the garden and interior of the house. This was the first reported direct strike on the prime minister's residence during the ongoing conflict. (Related: Netanyahu will strike military sites within Iran before U.S. elections, source tells WaPo)
Hezbollah took responsibility for the attack through a statement by its media office head, Mohammad Afif, who said: "The Islamic Resistance claims responsibility for the Caesarea operation and targeting Netanyahu's home."
The drone that struck Netanyahu's residence had been tracked by an Israeli Apache helicopter as it crossed the border from Lebanon, but Israeli defense systems failed to intercept it before impact.
The two other drones, launched simultaneously, were intercepted in open areas. Until Hezbollah's confirmation, Israeli media had only reported that a drone was headed toward Netanyahu's home, not that it had made direct contact with the structure.
Netanyahu labeled the attack an assassination attempt orchestrated by Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, and vowed that Israel would respond forcefully.
"Iran's proxies, who today attempted to assassinate me and my wife, made a grave mistake," Netanyahu said. "This will not deter me or the State of Israel from continuing our war of resurgence against our enemies."
The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran-backed militant groups.
Hezbollah has ramped up its involvement, launching rockets and drones at Israel since the Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon earlier this month. Hezbollah had previously targeted Israeli airbases and military outposts, but this strike on Netanyahu's private residence represents a bold and symbolic escalation.
Israel carries out retaliatory airstrikes across Lebanon
Following the drone strike, Israeli forces carried out retaliatory airstrikes across Lebanon, including rare daytime strikes on Hezbollah installations in Dahiyeh, a suburb of Beirut, and other strategic locations.
These strikes have further heightened tensions in the region. Israeli military sources confirmed that among those killed in the recent airstrikes was Hezbollah’s deputy commander, Nasser Rashid, in the southern town of Bint Jbeil. Moreover, an Israeli drone strike on the highway in Jounieh, north of Beirut, killed two people.
Eyewitnesses reported that the drone fired at a vehicle three times, killing a man and a woman who attempted to flee on foot. The strike caused widespread damage to nearby buildings and created panic among residents who had not seen airstrikes in the region before.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have intensified in the northern part of the territory. Over 50 Palestinians were killed in a span of 24 hours, including patients at hospitals that were reportedly targeted by Israeli forces.
The Indonesia Hospital in Beit Lahiya and Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza City were shelled, with Israeli tanks surrounding the facilities. Medical officials reported that two patients died due to oxygen shortages after the hospitals' electricity was cut.
The assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who masterminded the deadly Oct. 7 attack that triggered the conflict, briefly raised hopes for a ceasefire and a potential hostage release deal.
However, both Israel and Hamas remain entrenched in their demands, with Hamas insisting on a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza before any hostages are freed. Israel, meanwhile, has vowed to maintain its military presence and eliminate the remaining Hamas leadership.
The situation remains volatile, with Hezbollah warning of more attacks against Israeli targets and Israel continuing to strike key Hezbollah and Hamas positions. The region braces for further escalation as diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire remain stalled.
Visit WWIII.news for more stories like this.
Watch as Netanyahu blames "agents of Iran" for hit on his Caesarea home.
This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Netanyahu backtracks on agreement with Biden to support Lebanon ceasefire proposal.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.