Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s home targeted in drone strike

A drone was launched towards the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, Israel, on Saturday, October 19, as confirmed by his office. 

We The Prime Minister and his wife were not at the location during the incident, and no injuries were reported.

The Israeli military disclosed that three drones were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier that morning, with one striking a building in Caesarea. It remains unclear if the building hit was part of Netanyahu’s residence or if it sustained any significant damage. The other 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 attack is part of escalating hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, with the IDF reporting that over 55 rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday. In response, Israel continues to strike targets in Lebanon, particularly those linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

This incident follows reports from Lebanon’s health ministry, which confirmed two fatalities after an Israeli strike hit a car on a highway in Jounieh, a Christian-majority town north of Beirut. The strike marks an unusual development, as most Israeli operations have previously focused on Hezbollah-dominated Shia Muslim-majority areas.

Though the drone attack has not been claimed by Hezbollah or any other militant group, tensions remain high as Israel continues to retaliate against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon amid the ongoing exchange of fire since October.

Netanyahu frequently uses his Caesarea residence, in addition to his home in Jerusalem and the official Prime Minister’s residence, Beit Aghion, which is currently under renovation.