‘Grave mistake,’ says Netanyahu after attempt on his life; Iran alleges Hezbollah behind drone attack
The Hindu
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accuses Iran-backed Hezbollah of assassination attempt, escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday (October 19, 2024) accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of trying to assassinate him, with the Middle East already on edge after Israel had vowed retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage.
Mr. Netanyahu's office said a drone was launched toward his residence in the central town of Caesarea but he and his wife were not home at the time and there were no injuries.
"The attempt by Iran's proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake," Mr. Netanyahu said in a statement.
"Anyone who tries to harm Israel's citizens will pay a heavy price," he said in comments directed at Tehran and "its proxies", which include Lebanon's Hezbollah, a group Israel has been at war with since late September.
The Lebanese group, armed and financed by Iran, did not acknowledge the attack but late Saturday Iran's United Nations mission said "this action was taken" by Hezbollah.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said a drone "hit a building in Caesarea, while trying to hit the prime minister".
Caesarea is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the Haifa city area which Hezbollah has regularly targeted.
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