In the past two days, the Gaza Street area in Jerusalem has witnessed heightened security efforts to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence from drone threats. During this period, special anti-drone nets were installed, with a team of workers preparing
the site, and the street was closed off using two cranes to secure the location. This residence, considered an official alternative home, has undergone extensive security modifications over the past year and a half, including the construction of a new
elevator, bathroom renovations, installation of iron structures, and the creation of an internal shelter, along with fences and concrete blocks to prevent unauthorized movement in the area. Despite these measures, Netanyahu and his wife do not reside in this house
but live in another residence within the same neighborhood. A local resident described the area as an upscale, densely built residential neighborhood, expressing concern about the impact of these fortifications on neighbors and questioning what measures are taken to consider
local residents and avoid causing alarm. In related developments, recent data revealed that the Prime Minister's Office allocated substantial funds between 2023 and 2026 to enhance security at the Prime Minister's residences, both official and private, including the home on
Balfour Street, the alternative residence on Gaza Street, and the private home in Caesarea. The budget allocated for these security projects saw a significant increase, rising from 10.9 million shekels in 2023 to 27.8 million in 2024, then jumping to
72.5 million shekels in 2025, with an additional 16.2 million shekels spent up to October 2026. The Prime Minister's Office clarified that these amounts cover all residences managed by the office for current and former prime ministers, noting that the
substantial increase in funding is due to the heightened level of security threats, particularly following a drone attack on Netanyahu's villa in Caesarea in 2024. These measures reflect the seriousness with which the safety of the prime minister and his
residences is being ensured amid increasing security challenges.
