Hezbollah asserts responsibility for drone strike on Netanyahu's residence
Lebanese-based militants have claimed “exclusive” responsibility for the attack on the Israeli Prime Minister's residence, issuing a warning of additional strikes to come. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah has claimed “complete and exclusive responsibility” for the attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence using an explosives-laden drone.
On Saturday, three UAVs were observed heading toward Caesarea, a coastal town in northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces shot down two of the drones, while the third managed to reach Netanyahu’s home and exploded. Fortunately, both the prime minister and his wife were not present during the incident, which resulted in no injuries in the vicinity.
Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif issued a statement on Tuesday declaring the group's full responsibility for the operation in Caesarea. He emphasized that Hezbollah would not engage in negotiations with Israel as long as the Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon are ongoing, and he warned Netanyahu of future attempts on his life.
“If we did not reach you this time, then we will reach you the next time,” Afif declared.
The phrase “exclusive responsibility” used by Afif has been interpreted as an effort to separate Iran from the incident. Iran, which Israel and its allies accuse of providing financial and political backing to Hezbollah, has already stated that “the action in question was carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
Following the attack, Netanyahu asserted that “Iran and its proxies” will “pay a heavy price” for targeting his residence. He has previously promised retaliation for an Iranian ballistic missile strike on Israeli military sites earlier in the month, and according to ABC News, he approved a list of Iranian targets last week.
Leaked U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the IDF has been preparing air-launched ballistic missiles and conducting mid-air refueling exercises for an upcoming assault.
Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that Netanyahu assured U.S. President Joe Biden that Israel would limit its strikes to Iranian military targets in its response, following Biden’s request to avoid attacks on Tehran’s oil or nuclear facilities.
Israeli forces had been engaged in a low-intensity campaign against Hezbollah fighters along the Israel-Lebanon border until September, when Israeli sabotage of Hezbollah communication systems marked the beginning of a significant air offensive in Lebanon. This was followed by a ground invasion, leading to a reported death toll exceeding 2,400 people in Lebanon, according to the country's Health Ministry.
The IDF claims to have killed over 1,500 Hezbollah operatives since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last year, while Hezbollah contends that the actual number is closer to 500. The IDF has reported the loss of 43 soldiers in border confrontations and ground operations in Lebanon, while Hezbollah argues that Israel’s true casualties are substantially higher.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
On Saturday, three UAVs were observed heading toward Caesarea, a coastal town in northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces shot down two of the drones, while the third managed to reach Netanyahu’s home and exploded. Fortunately, both the prime minister and his wife were not present during the incident, which resulted in no injuries in the vicinity.
Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif issued a statement on Tuesday declaring the group's full responsibility for the operation in Caesarea. He emphasized that Hezbollah would not engage in negotiations with Israel as long as the Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon are ongoing, and he warned Netanyahu of future attempts on his life.
“If we did not reach you this time, then we will reach you the next time,” Afif declared.
The phrase “exclusive responsibility” used by Afif has been interpreted as an effort to separate Iran from the incident. Iran, which Israel and its allies accuse of providing financial and political backing to Hezbollah, has already stated that “the action in question was carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
Following the attack, Netanyahu asserted that “Iran and its proxies” will “pay a heavy price” for targeting his residence. He has previously promised retaliation for an Iranian ballistic missile strike on Israeli military sites earlier in the month, and according to ABC News, he approved a list of Iranian targets last week.
Leaked U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the IDF has been preparing air-launched ballistic missiles and conducting mid-air refueling exercises for an upcoming assault.
Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that Netanyahu assured U.S. President Joe Biden that Israel would limit its strikes to Iranian military targets in its response, following Biden’s request to avoid attacks on Tehran’s oil or nuclear facilities.
Israeli forces had been engaged in a low-intensity campaign against Hezbollah fighters along the Israel-Lebanon border until September, when Israeli sabotage of Hezbollah communication systems marked the beginning of a significant air offensive in Lebanon. This was followed by a ground invasion, leading to a reported death toll exceeding 2,400 people in Lebanon, according to the country's Health Ministry.
The IDF claims to have killed over 1,500 Hezbollah operatives since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last year, while Hezbollah contends that the actual number is closer to 500. The IDF has reported the loss of 43 soldiers in border confrontations and ground operations in Lebanon, while Hezbollah argues that Israel’s true casualties are substantially higher.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
