Hezbollah’s assassination attempt on former Israeli minister Yaalon revealed

Israeli security services have revealed that Hezbollah attempted to assassinate former Israeli Defense Minister and Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon in an attack last year, according to Israeli media reports.

The incident took place in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park, where a bomb exploded without causing any casualties.

Bomb detonation in Yarkon Park

On Sept. 17, 2023, at approximately 6:30 a.m., a powerful bomb detonated in Yarkon Park, shaking the area.

According to Israeli police, the explosive device was identified as a type of Iranian-made “Klimagor” bomb. “Klimagor” comes from the English word Claymore, the name given to U.S.-developed directional antipersonnel landmines.

Device exploded earlier than planned

The blast, initially thought to be a criminal incident, was soon revealed to be part of a security threat, prompting the Shin Bet (Israel security agency) to join the investigation.

Israeli authorities later confirmed that the intended target of the explosion was Yaalon, who resides in the area. The Israel’s investigation revealed that Hezbollah planted the bomb, and the detonation was meant to occur when Yaalon passed by. However, the device exploded earlier than planned, failing the intended attack.

Arrests and Hezbollah link

Hours after the explosion, two suspects were arrested on Israel’s Highway 431 with materials related to the attack. Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had smuggled a bag containing explosives, weapons in cooperation with a Hezbollah operative.

As the investigation progressed, more troubling details emerged. One of the suspects admitted to placing the bomb under a tree in Yarkon Park under Hezbollah‘s direction. A car with a camera was also stationed nearby to document the attack. However, for reasons still under investigation, the bomb exploded prematurely.

Additional arrests and alleged Hezbollah cell

By October 2023, Israeli security forces had arrested eight individuals suspected of involvement. The suspects were reportedly linked to Hezbollah and had assisted in smuggling explosives into Israel.

A ninth suspect, a former Israeli citizen now residing in Lebanon and affiliated with Hezbollah, was implicated but remains outside the judicial process according to the Israeli media. Three additional Iranian-made explosives were later found hidden in East Jerusalem, along with weapons and other equipment intended for future attacks.