Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of trying to assassinate him, with the Middle East already on edge after Israel had vowed retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage.

An official in Gaza said an Israeli strike in north Gaza had killed at least 73 people late Saturday, with many more feared trapped under the rubble. Israel said it had hit a "Hamas terror target."

Netanyahu's office said a drone was launched towards his residence in the central town of Caesarea but he and his wife were not home and there were no injuries.