In a notable breach of security, Israeli officials disclosed that a drone launched from Lebanon targeted the residence of Netanyahu in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv. Fortunately, neither Netanyahu nor his family were at home during the attack, and there were no reported injuries, per Israeli sources.
Reacting swiftly, the Israeli military upped the ante with intensified air raids on Gaza, zooming in on areas like hospitals and refugee camps in the north. As Gaza’s health officials disclosed, at least 44 Palestinians met their demise, with over 80 others injured, particularly in the Jabalia and Maghazi refugee camps.
Israeli security forces are investigating this incident to unravel how the drone evaded the nation’s defenses. The drone, covering a span exceeding 70 kilometers from Lebanon, struck Netanyahu’s abode directly. This incident elevates worries concerning Hezbollah’s drone aptitudes. Meanwhile, Israeli forces successfully intercepted two additional drones that were launched at the same time.
In Caesarea, home to essential military installations and industrial interests, the calm was deceiving with no warning sirens blaring, contrasting with alarms in nearby Tel Aviv and the Glilot military base. The drone strike underscores Hezbollah’s expanding role in the conflict, notably through drone tactics aimed at circumventing Israel’s Iron Dome defense shield.
Post-attack, Netanyahu confidently addressed his nation, stating, “Nothing will deter us,” referring to Yahya Sinwar’s assassination earlier in the week. Viewed as the architect of the October 7th attacks, Sinwar was targeted by Israel.
A circulated video on social platforms captured Netanyahu labeling Sinwar, slain by Israeli forces days prior, as “the terrorist mastermind behind crimes against Israeli civilians.” Claims of mass beheadings and systemic abuse linked to the October 7 incursions have now been disproved, with forensic findings negating such allegations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticized Sinwar’s killing, asserting it won’t halt the so-called “axis of resistance,” which encapsulates Iran’s alliance with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. He said, “Hamas is alive and will remain alive.”
The heightening conflict exacerbates Gaza’s humanitarian dilemmas. The latest Israeli air raids have further wrecked Gaza’s lacking infrastructure, leaving hospitals grappling to offer care amid severe shortages of medication, water, and electricity.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing Israeli military offenses since October 7, 2023, have resulted in the deaths of 42,519 individuals and injuries to 99,637 others.
UN experts have thrown a cautionary flag, warning that nations assisting Israel in its Gaza operations could become accomplices in genocide. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry has issued a formal directive, pressing global actors to comply with International Court of Justice (ICJ) directives aimed at averting genocide within Gaza.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
