Drone strike launched from Lebanon towards Netanyahu’s house, no casualties reported

A drone strike was launched towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house in the town of Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, on Saturday morning, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.

Netanyahu and his wife were not in the building, and there were no casualties.

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The Israel Defense Forces said a drone crossing from Lebanon “hit a structure in the area of Caesarea,” while Israeli news outlet Ynet reported the sound of an explosion in the town.

The IDF added that two other drones were intercepted, and that the incident was under review.

The attack comes just days after Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Sinwar was the architect of of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, and his killing in battle was the culmination of a yearlong manhunt by the IDF.

While some, including U.S. officials, have expressed hope that Sinwar’s death could pave a path towards a cease-fire and hostage deal, Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah have vowed to continue the war.

Sirens had begun to sound across Israel ahead of the attack, including in the port city of Haifa which has come under heavy fire from Hezbollah rockets in recent weeks. NBC News staff in Israel said in the north, sirens were sounding non-stop Saturday morning for more than four hours. 

At least 55 projectiles were launched from Lebanon into Israel within an hour, according to the Israeli military.

Netanyahu said Thursday that Sinwar’s death was the “beginning of the end” for Hamas, but that the war “is not yet over.”

Following the confirmation of Sinwar’s death, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group and Hamas ally in Lebanon, vowed to escalate fighting against Israel.