A drone was fired towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private property in Caesarea, Israel, on Saturday, October 19, according to his office.
The Prime Minister and his wife were not there during the incident, and there were no injuries reported.
The Israeli military reported that three drones were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier that morning, one of which struck a building in Caesarea. It is unknown whether the building struck was part of Netanyahu’s residence or if it received severe damage. The remaining two drones were intercepted by Israeli defense forces.
In a statement at 08:19 local time (06:19 BST), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: “In the last hour, three unmanned aerial vehicles crossed into the country from Lebanon. Two of the aircraft were intercepted. Another aircraft hit a building in Caesarea, no injuries.”
The incident comes as Israel and Lebanon’s hostilities escalate, with the IDF stating that over 55 rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday. In retaliation, Israel continues to bomb targets in Lebanon, notably those associated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
This incident followed reports from Lebanon’s health ministry, which verified two deaths when an Israeli strike damaged a car on a highway in Jounieh, a Christian-majority town north of Beirut. The strike is an uncommon development, given most Israeli operations have typically targeted Hezbollah-controlled Shia Muslim-majority areas.
Though Hezbollah or any other terrorist group has not claimed responsibility for the drone attack, emotions remain high as Israel continues to retaliate against Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon as part of an ongoing exchange of fire that began in October.
Netanyahu frequently utilizes his Caesarea residence, as well as his Jerusalem home and the official Prime Minister’s residence, Beit Aghion, which is now being renovated.
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