Hezbollah behind drone attack on Netanyahu's residence, Iran claims

On October 19, Iran's United Nations mission stated that Hezbollah, the militant group backed and financed by Tehran, was responsible for a drone attack on the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

This assertion was made in response to inquiries regarding Iran's involvement in the incident, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Earlier that day, Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of an assassination attempt after a drone launched from Lebanon reportedly struck his family home. "The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake," Netanyahu declared in a statement. He warned that "anyone who tries to harm Israel’s citizens will pay a heavy price."

In a rebuttal, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned Israel for what he termed "spreading lies," describing this as part of the regime's ongoing deception.

Hezbollah, which frequently engages in conflict with Israel in southern Lebanon, has not yet confirmed its involvement in the drone attack.

The incident occurs amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which escalated following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Iran-aligned armed groups, collectively referred to as the "axis of resistance," have become increasingly involved in the conflict. Iran itself has conducted direct attacks against Israel, including a barrage of 200 missiles on October 1, prompting Israel to vow retaliation.

Iran has warned that it will respond if Israel continues its attacks.

Notably, on October 19, Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in the seaside town of Caesarea was struck by a drone, causing superficial damage but resulting in no casualties. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, particularly following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The Israeli government reported that one of the prime minister's three homes was targeted by three drones, two of which were intercepted before reaching their target. At the time of the attack, neither Netanyahu nor his wife, Sara, was present at the residence.

In a statement issued on the night of October 19, Netanyahu declared, "The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake." He vowed that both Iran and its proxies would "pay a heavy price," affirming Israel's commitment to "eliminate the terrorists and those who dispatch them."

By Khagan Isayev