Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of attempting to assassinate one of his sons, a claim that has prompted him to request enhanced protection measures for prime ministerial candidates from Israeli law enforcement. Netanyahu stated in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 that the plot was an "unbelievable case" and that Iran "tried to murder one of my sons."
The prime minister did not specify which of his two sons was targeted or provide details about the alleged assassination plot or how Israeli intelligence became aware of it. The Israeli security agency Shin Bet had previously granted extended protection services to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, and their sons, Yair and Avner, beginning in July.
This accusation comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including negotiations for a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, where they have been engaged with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Israel has recently publicized a significant cache of weapons confiscated from Hezbollah and Hamas, which included arms manufactured in Iran, Russia, and China, as well as homegrown weaponry from Lebanon and Gaza. These weapons were reportedly used against Israeli civilians and the IDF since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hezbollah and Hamas are described as proxies of Iran, and reports indicate they have been responsible for the deaths of over 300 American citizens. The conflict has seen Israel involved in a multi-front war against Iran and its allied groups. In the aftermath of these events, Netanyahu has warned Iran of a forceful response to any future attacks, asserting Israel's right to self-defense.