Netanyahu: Iran Tried to Assassinate One of His Sons

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed Monday evening during a live broadcast on Israel's Channel 14 that Iran had attempted to assassinate one of his two sons. The information had been subject to a military censorship gag order for several months and could only now be made public.

"Iran tried to murder one of my sons," Netanyahu stated. The prime minister did not specify which of his sons, Yair or Avner, was targeted in the alleged plot, nor did he provide details about how the assassination attempt was carried out or when it occurred.

The revelation comes amid ongoing discussions about expanding security protection for the Netanyahu family. According to a report by Israel's Channel 12, Shin Bet (Israel's internal security service) chief Ronen Bar plans to recommend to the ministerial committee on Shin Bet affairs that security coverage for the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, and his two sons be significantly enhanced.

According to the report, the recommendation calls for extending their security detail for five years, regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections. However, Channel 13 reported that the expanded protection might be granted not just for five years, but for life.

The emerging plan reportedly contradicts the position of professional security officials within the Shin Bet and the National Security Council. According to the reports, while these officials acknowledge significant threats against the Netanyahu family, they believe that pre-determining expanded security for a five-year period is disproportionate and does not meet professional standards of reasonableness.

Channel 12 journalist Yaron Avraham reported that Sara Netanyahu had approached professional officials at the National Security Council and Shin Bet to request they submit assessments supporting the expansion of security. According to the report, the prime minister's wife argued that family members face significant threats and therefore warrant enhanced security protection for an extended period.

The prime minister's new disclosure now reveals one of the threats that could not be reported for months due to censorship restrictions. Beyond the single sentence Netanyahu delivered, no additional details about the attempted attack on one of his sons have been made public at this stage.