A drone has been reported as being “launched towards” the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coastal town of Caesarea, according to a statement from his office. Fortunately, both Netanyahu and his wife were not present at the time of the incident, and there were no injuries reported.
This incident follows a series of escalating hostilities, with the Israeli military confirming that three drones were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory early Saturday morning. One of these drones struck a building in Caesarea, although the Israeli government has not clarified whether this building is part of the Prime Minister’s residence or the extent of any damage sustained.
At approximately 08:19 local time (06:19 BST), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced, “In the last hour, three unmanned aerial vehicles crossed into the country from Lebanon. Two of the aircraft were intercepted, while another hit a building in Caesarea, resulting in no injuries.”
Netanyahu operates from two private residences, one in Caesarea and another in Jerusalem. He has also been spending time at Beit Aghion, the official Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, which is currently undergoing renovations.
The IDF reported that approximately 55 rockets were launched into Israel from Lebanon on the same day, indicating an uptick in cross-border aggression. In retaliation, Israel has continued to target locations in Lebanon that it claims are connected to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
In a separate incident, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that two individuals were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Jounieh, a predominantly Christian town located north of Beirut. Local media indicated that the strike targeted a moving vehicle traveling along the main highway, marking a notable shift in Israeli military operations, which have predominantly focused on Shia Muslim-majority areas known for Hezbollah’s presence.
The increase in drone activity and rocket fire underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah amid ongoing regional conflicts. Both governments are on high alert as the situation continues to evolve.
