TEHRAN- A drone launched from Lebanon struck one of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residences on Saturday in a direct hit. This is what Netanyahu’s office confirmed.

Ahronoth, the drone flew undetected for at least 70 kilometers and struck a building in Caesarea which sits between Tel Aviv and Haifa.

The drone directly hit a building in Caesarea, with shrapnel reaching a neighboring building, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. No sirens were sounded. 

Israeli media also reported witnesses hearing a huge explosion. The area around the Israeli premier’s residence was quickly sealed off.    

Rumors began to circulate quickly online about Netanyahu’s life. The Israeli PM was forced to publish a video later in the day showing him walking in a park to ensure his supporters that he was okay and not at home during the time of the attack.

According to the Israeli military, three drones entered Israeli airspace on Saturday morning, two of which were allegedly shot down. "One additional UAV hit a structure in the area of Caesarea." The Israeli military added. 

Attack on Netanyahu’s home shows Hezbollah drones can bypass Israel's defense systems and hit their targets successfully. According to a statement by Netanyahu’s office, the drone attack triggered sirens to ring at the Glilot military intelligence base very close to Tel Aviv, which has been targeted by Hezbollah before. It is unclear yet what the connection is between the two incidents.

"A UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) was launched toward the prime minister’s residence in Caesarea. The prime minister and his wife were not at the location, and there were no injuries in the incident." The statement alleged. 

Israeli Army Radio has cited a security source as saying the regime’s security services view the successful drone intrusion as a very serious failure and an investigation has been launched into the breach of Israeli airspace for at least 70 kilometers.  

The drone attack has caused significant concern in Israel. Reports say security has been beefed up for senior Israeli leaders, cabinet ministers as well as military officials. 

The incident comes a day after Hezbollah announced "the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with the Israeli enemy."

The Lebanese resistance said the new military strategy was based on directives by the movement’s leadership and "will be reflected in the developments and events of the coming days."

This operation indicates that Hezbollah has information on important and strategic locations in Israel. 

The attack on Netanyahu’s home comes less than a week after Hezbollah carried out a drone operation against the elite Israeli Golani Brigade’s base in Binyamina near Haifa.  

The attack left at several Israeli troops dead and scores of others injured. At least eight are still believed to be in serious condition. The attack was the largest to have been waged on Israel since October 8, 2023.

This is in addition to the almost daily barrage of rockets on Haifa and areas across Israel that have left many neighborhoods in ruins.  

The spate of attacks has left many questioning the effectiveness of the Israeli defense systems, in particular the Iron Dome, which Tel Aviv prides itself on for intercepting incoming projectiles. 

Netanyahu’s army declared war on Lebanon with the aim of returning displaced Israelis to the north who fled after Hezbollah traded daily rocket fire with the Israeli military in solidarity with Gaza. 

The Israeli bombardment on Lebanon and the mass killing of civilians has seen Hezbollah widen its range of rocket fire from the northern Israeli settlements to Haifa and central Israel.

Experts say at this rate there is no visible path for the Israelis to their homes in the north, especially after the Israeli prime minister’s home was bombed.