Israeli police have arrested a man in his forties after he openly threatened to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The suspect, a resident of Kiryat Gat in southern Israel, reportedly walked into a local police station just before the Jewish New Year holiday and declared his intention to kill Netanyahu. According to officials, he told officers he planned to buy a gun and shoot the Prime Minister three times.
Police immediately detained the man and announced that an indictment would be filed later the same day. Authorities are also seeking to keep him behind bars until the conclusion of legal proceedings, citing the severity of the threat.
The incident comes at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu, who is facing growing public discontent over Israel’s nearly two-year war in Gaza against Hamas. Critics fear the prolonged conflict could deepen the country’s global isolation.
Meanwhile, families of 48 hostages 20 of whom are believed to still be alive continue to pressure the government to secure their release through a negotiated deal, adding further strain to Netanyahu’s leadership.
