Jerusalem [Israel], October 20: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran tried to assassinate him by launching a drone into his home, while Tehran said Hezbollah did it.
On October 19, a drone crashed into the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the city of Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv. Netanyahu and his wife were not home at the time and no one was injured, although the house reportedly suffered minor damage, according to The Times of Israel .
Netanyahu said that evening that Iranian agents had tried to assassinate him and his wife but had made a big mistake. The Israeli prime minister stressed that the attack would not stop him from continuing the fight to destroy Hamas, rescue hostages from the Gaza Strip and bring the people of the north home. "Anyone who harms the Israeli people will pay a heavy price," Netanyahu declared.
Iran's mission to the United Nations said the Lebanese Hezbollah group was behind the attack. "The attack was carried out by the Lebanese Hezbollah," the Iranian mission said, according to the IRNA news agency. Iran's ally has not commented on the incident.
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Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz rejected Iran's claim. "The main proxy group, the tentacle that Iran created, funded, armed, trained and now controls the entire operation, is suddenly portrayed as an independent entity. Lies and falsehoods will not help you. You are responsible," Katz wrote on the social network X.
The Israeli military said the drone was one of three launched from Lebanon. The other two were shot down. The military is investigating the incident and has found that the warning system was flawed. Sirens in Caesarea did not sound before the collisions and explosions.
Israeli politicians demand retaliation
Israeli Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana said Iran had made a big mistake by targeting Prime Minister Netanyahu and warned Tehran would pay the price. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the attack on Prime Minister Netanyahu's home was an attack on the state of Israel and its symbols.
Many other Israeli officials and politicians also condemned this action. Even Mr. Avigdor Liberman, Chairman of the opposition Yisrael Beytenu Party, called for attacks on strategic facilities and Iran's political and military elite in response.
Channel 12 said the attack would give Israel legitimacy to expand its attack targets if necessary. Israel has yet to retaliate after Iran launched 200 missiles at Israeli territory earlier this month.
According to AFP, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke by phone with Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing his shock at the news of the UAV being launched towards his counterpart's home. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the importance of moving towards a political solution, among other topics related to the situation in the Middle East.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
