Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a fierce response to Hezbollah following an alleged assassination attempt targeting him and his wife, describing it as a “grave mistake.” The bold statement came amid escalating tensions in the region as Israel seeks to eliminate threats from Iran and its allies.
‘A Grave Mistake by Iran’s Proxy’
“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Netanyahu declared in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This will not deter me or the State of Israel from continuing our just war against our enemies in order to secure our future.”
Addressing the broader threat posed by Iran and its “Axis of Resistance” — which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis — Netanyahu underscored Israel’s determination to reshape the security landscape in the region. His message was unequivocal: Israel will persist in its efforts to secure its future and protect its citizens.
Warning to Iran and Its Allies
In his warning, Netanyahu stated, “I say to Iran and its proxies in its axis of evil: Anyone who tries to harm Israel’s citizens will pay a heavy price; We will continue to eliminate the terrorists and those who dispatch them; We will bring our hostages home from Gaza; And we will return our citizens who live on our Northern border safely to their homes.”
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is determined to achieve all of its war objectives, asserting, “Israel is determined to achieve all our war objectives and change the security reality in our region for generations to come.” His defiant tone highlighted the resolve of a nation unwilling to be intimidated by its adversaries.
‘Together, We Will Win’
“Together, we will fight, and with God’s help – together, we will win,” Netanyahu proclaimed.
The assassination attempt took place Saturday morning when a UAV was launched toward Netanyahu’s private residence in the coastal city of Caesarea. The prime minister and his wife were not home at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Assassination Attempt and Israel’s Response
The Israeli military reported that three drones were fired from Lebanon, targeting Netanyahu’s house. Of these, two were intercepted. Although minor damage to the residence was mentioned in some reports.
Following the incident, Netanyahu released a confident video message, reiterating that “we’re going to win this war.” He also referenced the recent elimination of Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader, saying, “Two days ago we took out Sinwar, the terrorist mastermind whose goons beheaded our men, raped our women and burned our babies alive,” he said. “We took him out, and we’re continuing to battle with Iran’s other terrorist proxies.” His words were a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against those who threaten Israel’s safety.
Solidarity from the U.S.
The incident also drew international attention, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Austin reviewed U.S. force-posture adjustments, including the recent deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system to bolster Israel’s defenses against threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies. Austin also conveyed his relief that Netanyahu was safe following the attack.
U.S. House Speaker’s Support
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson took to X to express his support for Netanyahu, writing, “I spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu today, and I am happy to report he is safe, in good spirits, and undeterred,” Johnson said. “I told him America stands strong with Israel and reiterated our ongoing commitment to help counter Iran and its terrorist proxies. This is a crucial.”
As Israel faces mounting threats from multiple fronts, Netanyahu’s message remains clear: retaliation will be swift and decisive, and the nation’s enemies will be held accountable for their actions.
