Media: Netanyahu plans to seek shelter in bunker if Iran attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to take refuge with his family in a secure bunker located in the Jerusalem area in the event of an Iranian attack.

This information was disseminated by an Israeli news portal, citing sources close to Netanyahu, as per Caliber.Az.

According to these sources, Netanyahu, his wife, and their son, who is currently in Israel, are taking Iranian threats seriously, particularly those targeting "the homes of the main criminals."

The Prime Minister’s office, however, has denied these reports, stating that they are not accurate.

Earlier reports by the portal indicated that the Israeli General Security Service had prepared an underground bunker for the leadership in Jerusalem following the Second Lebanon War in 2007. The facility, officially known as the National Crisis Management Centre, is designed to withstand rocket attacks and various types of weaponry. While the exact location and depth of the bunker are classified, it is known to be capable of accommodating several hundred people.

In related news, American President Joe Biden is anticipated to increase pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and negotiate the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli media, citing sources from Arab countries involved in the negotiations, reports that a ceasefire and hostage release deal will be challenging to achieve without additional pressure from the US on Netanyahu. The reports note that Netanyahu’s stance is currently the main obstacle to an agreement, and frustration among Qatari and Egyptian mediators has extended to the US

The sources suggest that Washington’s leverage over Jerusalem could be a key factor in swaying Netanyahu's position. They propose that one potential approach could be for the US to publicly criticize the Israeli Prime Minister to facilitate a breakthrough in the negotiations.