Israeli security forces are reinforcing security measures around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in occupied Jerusalem, in the event of a potential retaliatory attack by Iran, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency has reportedly begun deploying drones to surveil Netanyahu’s residence.
The agency also decided to bolster protection for several senior officials, including members of the Israeli security cabinet, providing some of them with armoured vehicles. This measure is reserved for those deemed to be at a higher threat level than others, amid concerns over an attack.
As an extra measure, some senior ministers' families have been moved from their homes to fortified apartments, while others have been temporarily housed in hotels. Behind the scenes, criticism is being voiced by ministers who were not included in these changes, regarding the perceived disparity in threat levels, the I24 Channel report said.
Additionally, the Shin Bet also recently tightened its instructions to ministers regarding the use of mobile phones, based on assessments that Iranians could attempt cyberattacks or phishing attempts.
In October 2024, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah carried out a drone attack on Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea, though the Israeli premier was not at home.
Two of the drones launched from Lebanon were intercepted, while the third landed on Netanyahu’s home.
Israeli media, and the prime minister himself, labelled the incident as an "assassination attempt".
The attack came amid heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon, who were engaged in a deadly conflict that saw Israel invade, occupy, and bomb several cities across Lebanon.
Israel is currently carrying out a joint assault with the US on Iran, ongoing since 28 February, and which has killed at least 1,255 Iranians.
The ongoing military operation is the culmination of US threats to Iran over its nuclear programme and regime, and Israel’s decades-long proxy war with Tehran.
Israel is also striking Lebanon in parallel with its attacks on Iran. Close to 400 have been killed over the past 10 days, while more than half a million Lebanese are displaced.