Photo Credit: Kenny Holston/The New York Times
The Times of Israel reported a drone attack targeting the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea early this morning.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that neither Netanyahu nor his wife, Sara, were at home during the incident, and they reported no injuries.
In addition to the drone targeting Netanyahu’s home, Israel’s air defense systems intercepted two other drones launched from Lebanon.
This prompted air raid sirens to sound in various locations, including Tel Aviv, indicating heightened alertness throughout the region.
Authorities triggered alarms in several northern communities near Haifa Bay, warning residents of potential rocket fire from Lebanon. Cities and towns such as Haifa, Kfar HaMaccabi, Usha, Kiryat Yam, and others received these urgent alerts, as tensions continue to rise along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
The drone attack and ongoing hostilities occur against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has escalated significantly in recent weeks.
In a separate address on Friday, Netanyahu delivered a message to the people of Gaza, asserting that the war could conclude swiftly if Hamas agreed to cease hostilities and return hostages.
Taking to X, Netanyahu announced the death of Yahya Sinwar, stating, “Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israeli defense forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end. To the people of Gaza, I have a simple message – this war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages.”
Yahya Sinwar is dead.
He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.
While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end. pic.twitter.com/C6wAaLH1YW
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 17, 2024
Netanyahu Reports Hamas Holding 101 Hostages From 23 Countries
Netanyahu reported that Hamas is currently holding 101 hostages in Gaza, comprising individuals from 23 different countries, including Israel.
“Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza who are citizens of 23 countries, citizens of Israel, but citizens of many other countries. Israel is doing everything in our power to bring all of them home. Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return our hostages,” he added.
In a stern warning to those involved in hostage-taking, Netanyahu asserted that Israel would pursue justice relentlessly.
Netanyahu stated, “But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message – Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice. But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message – Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice. I also have a message of hope to the people of the region – the axis of terror that was built by Iran is collapsing before our eyes.”
“To those who would harm our hostages, I have another message – Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” he stated, while also expressing a vision of hope for the region, claiming that the “axis of terror built by Iran is collapsing before our eyes.”
Also Read: Autopsy Confirms Death Of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar From Gunshot Wound
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