UPDATE 2 - Drone launched from Lebanon strikes Netanyahu’s residence in northern Israel

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — A drone launched from Lebanon on Saturday struck the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in northern Israel, his office said.

The prime minister’s office in a statement said the drone launched from Lebanon targeted Netanyahu's private home in Caesarea, northern Israel.

It added that the premier and his family were not at home at the time of the attack.

Separately, Israeli media outlets including the daily Maariv, have labeled the attempted drone strike on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea a "severe security failure."

The Israeli Air Force has reportedly launched an investigation into how the drone was able to enter Caesarea's airspace without being intercepted.

Earlier, the Israeli army said three drones were fired from Lebanon, two of which were successfully intercepted, while the third crashed into a building in Caesarea, northern Israel. There were no reported casualties.

** No particular group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, earlier on Thursday, Hezbollah announced its intention to enter a "new and escalating phase" in its confrontation with Israel, although specific details about this phase were not provided.

While cross-border warfare between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continued since the Gaza war last October, Israel escalated its offensive in Lebanon late last month, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and many other commanders.

The extensive airstrikes, followed by a ground invasion, have claimed more than 1,500 lives and displaced around 1.2 million people.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi