‘Not the first time’ – Hezbollah tried to assassinate former IDF Chief Ya’alon with a bomb last year

Shin Bet reveals Ya’alon was the target of thwarted bomb plot last September

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Former IDF Chief and Defense Minister Moshe “Bogie” Ya’alon was the target of a failed bomb plot by the Hezbollah terrorist organization last September, Israel Police and Shin Bet revealed on Wednesday.

“It’s not the first time someone has tried to kill me,” Ya’alon told Democrat TV after the revelation.

“My worldview is that of one who attacks, not one who is attacked, and I also take precautions, so I’m alive,” he added.

The domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet has now permitted the disclosure of Ya’alon’s name after initially only stating that the target was a "former senior security official."

The revelation came just one day after Israeli security forces thwarted a second bomb plot that was also intended to assassinate another as-of-now unnamed former security chief.

“On September 15, 2023, an explosive device exploded in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv with no casualties,” according to the Shin Bet statement.

“As part of the investigation, it was suspected that the activation of the device was a terrorist attack in an attempt to harm civilians who were in Yarkon Park at the time. As the investigation progressed, the investigators of the IDF and the Shin Bet succeeded in finding the personnel who were involved in the burying of the Claymore mine.”

Eight suspects, all Israeli citizens, were arrested shortly after the bomb exploded, as they traveled in a car in possession of incendiary and camouflage material.

Another suspect is believed to be in Lebanon, according to Walla News. All of them reportedly knew they were acting on behalf of Hezbollah.

The group also hid additional charges intended for carrying out more attacks. Security forces later located three more Iranian-made Claymore anti-personnel mines and an M-16 rifle.

The investigation ended on Oct. 23, with the filing of an indictment against the nine suspects. eight of whom were indicted for aiding terrorism and contact with a hostile entity.

On Tuesday, the Shin Bet announced it had successfully thwarted another Hezbollah bomb plot intended to assassinate an unnamed Israeli “former senior official.”

The plot, which was set to be carried out in the coming days, aimed to kill the former official using an anti-personnel mine, which was uncovered before it exploded.