Yesterday (Saturday), Hezbollah carried out for the first time in this war what can be defined as an attempt to assassinate an Israeli official – and none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This was done by launching a trio of explosive drones at the prime minister’s private residence in Caesarea in the late morning. Two of the vessels were intercepted on their way, but the third crashed and exploded in Caesarea (possibly in the area of the Prime Minister’s house and possibly not – the exact details remain confidential). In any case, Netanyahu and his wife were not in the area at the time of the incident, and there was no danger for their life at all.
The threat of Hezbollah’s drones is probably the most challenging threat posed by the northern front, also from Lebanon and Iraq and Syria (and even from Yemen). Air control systems are difficult to identify and track UAVs in real time, which also creates difficulty in intercepting them. The interception in itself is not particularly challenging, and can be carried out by aircraft, as was proven by intercepting most of the drones launched from Iran in the big attack in April. The difference is that Israel then had a few hours’ warning to prepare the planes for the interception mission in the air, and during the ongoing campaign this task is particularly challenging. This has been proven in various unfortunate cases, from Tel Aviv to the Golani training base to the Golan Heights. While the IDF is developing its ability to locate and protect, it was agreed that the initial preventive measure to prevent losses from sudden drone attacks would be more severe in triggering alarms in various areas where drone flights are suspected.
In any case, the campaign in the north continues in full force, and Israel is still waiting with the direct response that it promised to land on Iran (in response to the October 1 missile attack). If there is a direct connection between Iran and the current drone attack, it will give Israel the justification to return the same nature, and respond to Iran in a targeted way of thwarting a senior figure, and perhaps even a leader. Given this, it is not surprising that the Iranians are quick to publish statements regarding the lack of contact between them and the launches, which indicates a certain deterrence and fear of Israel’s actions, which can establish a strong response equation.