WATCH: 2 flares fired at Netanyahu's private residence, Shin Bet calls it 'dangerous escalation'

Amid the brewing tension in West Asia, Israel’s Shin Bet and local authorities said on Saturday that two flares were fired at the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea. According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli police stated that flares landed in the house’s yard and no damage was reported in the incident.

A joint statement from Shin Bet and Israeli police made it clear that Netanyahu and his family were not at home when the attack took place. The authorities also informed that they had opened an investigation into the matter and called the attack “the grave incident, which marks a dangerous escalation.”

The incident drew criticism from across Israel’s political system. Opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Unity chairman Benny Gantz both issued statements condemning the attack, urging the law enforcement agencies to “bring the guilty to justice”.

Meanwhile, Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman said it “signifies an escalation in the attempt to harm the democratic institutions of the State of Israel.” “Full backing must be given to the Shin Bet and the Israel Police in the investigation, and those involved must be brought to justice,” Liberman added.

Israel’s president calls for urgent investigation

Meanwhile, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also issued a strong condemnation and mentioned that he received a briefing from Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Herzog called for an urgent investigation into the matter after Bar informed him that the incident was seen as a “dangerous escalation” and was being treated with the utmost seriousness.

“The flames must not be allowed to escalate. I am again warning against an increase in violence in the public sphere,” Herzog wrote in a separate statement. While denouncing the attack, Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the incident an assassination attempt on Netanyahu to overthrow his government.

The justice minister went on to resume calls for a judicial overhaul in response to the attack. Meanwhile, Gantz slammed Levin’s assertion, warning that the last time the process was attempted it “brought disaster to the State of Israel.” “The coup d’état led by Yariv Levin brought disaster to the State of Israel, tore us apart from the inside and was a large part of how we reached October 7,” Gantz wrote on X.

“The fact that he brings up the idea of returning to it while the entirety of Israeli society is mobilized amid a difficult war proves that not only has he not learned his lesson — he is also an irresponsible person,” he added.

This is not the first time Netanyahu’s Caesarea home has been attacked. Last month, the Israeli premier’s private residence was lightly damaged in a Hezbollah drone attack.

With inputs from agencies.