Two flash bombs were reportedly fired near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in the central town of Caesarea on Saturday. According to a joint statement by the police and the Shin Bet internal security agency, the flares landed in the courtyard outside the prime minister’s home.

The prime minister and his family were not in the residence during that time, reports added. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident labeling it as a ‘serious and dangerous escalation’.

Isaac Herzog, President of Israel has strongly condemned the incident. He warned against a surge in violence in the public sphere. In a social media post, Herzog said, “I have now spoken with the head of the Shin Bet and expressed the urgent need to investigate and deal with those responsible for the incident as soon as possible. The head of the Shin Bet emphasized that this is a dangerous step up and noted that the investigation by the Shin Bet and the police is being carried out with the utmost severity.”

It is not yet known who was behind the flares. In response to the incident, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that ‘firing light bombs on Netanyahu’s house is crossing all red lines.’

“It is not possible for the Prime Minister of Israel, who is threatened by Iran and its proxies who are trying to assassinate him, to be subject to the same threats from home. The Shin Bet, the Israel Police and all law enforcement and judicial agencies must immediately and with all their strength take the necessary steps to put an end to this serious phenomenon and bring about this situation,” Katz said in a statement on X.

The fresh firing incident follows a drone attack on Netanyahu’s residence on October 19, which was claimed by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah later.