Israel’s Shin Bet confirmed tonight that Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, faced a serious assassination threat that led Israeli authorities to urgently remove him from Florida and return him to Israel under heightened security.

The confirmation marked the first time the Israel Security Agency publicly acknowledged receiving intelligence pointing to a significant threat against Yair Netanyahu’s life.

According to the Shin Bet, security officials conducted an assessment after receiving the intelligence and determined that the danger was sufficiently severe to warrant bringing Netanyahu and his security detail back to Israel immediately.

The disclosure came several days after Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed that Iran had sought to assassinate one of his sons. At the time, the prime minister did not identify which of his children had been targeted.

The Shin Bet’s statement also followed a report in the United States that Israeli intelligence had discovered an Iranian operation targeting Yair Netanyahu as early as December, while he was residing in Hallandale Beach, near Miami, Florida.

According to that report, Iranian operatives had progressed beyond simply discussing a possible attack. Members of the cell were allegedly already active in the area, surveilling Netanyahu’s residence and collecting information about his movements and daily schedule.

American authorities were informed once Israeli officials determined the seriousness of the threat, according to the report. Yair Netanyahu was then ordered to leave the area without delay.

The evacuation was carried out so urgently that Netanyahu reportedly left personal possessions behind in Florida. He was subsequently transported back to Israel under heavy security.

Israeli security officials said the extraordinary measures were based on concrete intelligence indicating that Netanyahu faced a genuine threat to his life. The objective, they said, was to remove him from the danger as quickly as possible.

The confirmation provides additional context to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments earlier this week regarding the extensive security provided to members of his family. Netanyahu argued that such protection should not be viewed as a luxury or special privilege, saying that actual threats against his relatives demonstrate that the security measures are necessary.

{Matzav.com}