A drone launched toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea on Saturday triggered a security alert. The drone, believed to have come from Lebanon, reportedly hit a structure in the area. However, Netanyahu and his wife were not present at the residence during the incident, and no injuries were reported, according to a statement from his office.
Details of the Drone Incident
The Israeli military confirmed the presence of a drone crossing from Lebanon, with two additional drones intercepted. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hit a structure near the prime minister’s residence in central Israel, though it remains unclear if it directly targeted his home. This comes as the Israel-Gaza war continues to intensify, raising security concerns across the country.
Hamas Stands Firm on Hostage Release
On Friday, Hamas reiterated its refusal to release hostages captured during the October 7 attack on Israel. The militant group stated that no hostages will be freed until the war ends. This announcement followed the reported death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was instrumental in planning the attack. Despite his death, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains critical, with families of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians awaiting an end to the conflict.
Gaza Hospitals Under Siege
Meanwhile, health authorities in Gaza reported that Israeli tanks had surrounded the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, shelling the facility and cutting off electricity. With medical staff and patients trapped, the situation at the hospital has become increasingly dire, according to the facility’s director, Marwan Sultan. The ongoing bombardment has created a state of panic, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Civilian Casualties Mount
In a series of Israeli airstrikes, 33 civilians were killed in Jabalia on Friday night, as reported by Gaza’s civil defense authorities. Earlier in the day, the bodies of three Palestinian children were recovered from the rubble of their destroyed home in northern Gaza.
International Reactions to Yahya Sinwar’s Death
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the killing of Yahya Sinwar as a pivotal moment in the war, marking it as the “beginning of the end” for Hamas. US President Joe Biden and leaders from Germany, France, and Britain expressed hope that Sinwar’s death could pave the way for peace and the release of hostages.
However, despite the significance of Sinwar’s death, Hamas remains resolute in continuing its fight, while Gazan civilians and Israeli hostages are caught in the crossfire of an escalating war.
