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Tehran Disavows Targeting Netanyahu's Headquarters.. Blames Hezbollah
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It appears that Iran's attempt to disavow responsibility for the attack aims to avoid direct escalation with Israel, while maintaining its ability to use regional proxies to exert pressure
The Iranian mission to the United Nations reported late Saturday evening that the Lebanese Hezbollah is responsible for the attack targeting the headquarters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The mission emphasized that Tehran has no connection to the operation targeting Netanyahu's home, confirming that it had previously responded to Israel separately.
On the other hand, Israeli media quoted a responsible source claiming that the attempt to target Netanyahu's home with a drone represents an Iranian effort to assassinate him.
This statement comes following an Israeli spokesman's announcement of a drone launch towards the Prime Minister's residence in the town of Caesarea in northern Israel, confirming that Netanyahu was not present at the site during the attack, and no injuries occurred.
In his first comment after the incident, Netanyahu stated: "Nothing can deter us," while the Israeli army clarified that the drone was launched from Lebanon and hit one of the buildings without specifying its identity. The army added that it managed to intercept two additional drones that breached Israeli airspace.
So far, the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group, which has been exchanging fire with Israel since October 2023, has not claimed responsibility for the drone attack, nor has any other armed group claimed the operation.
Israeli Channel 13 reported that the Prime Minister's office confirmed that Netanyahu's home was directly targeted by a drone, noting that Netanyahu and his wife were absent from the location at the time of the attack. Other media outlets reported that the police closed the roads leading to the targeted house in Caesarea.
This incident raises questions about the extent of Iran's involvement in military operations against Israel, and its strategy in using regional proxies to carry out attacks while trying to maintain a safe diplomatic distance. It also highlights the complexities of the security landscape in the region, where the interests and roles of various active parties intertwine.
Levant-Agencies
