A grenade was thrown at the house of former Liverpool and Israeli footballer Yossi Benayoun. He says the attack wasn’t meant for him — but it still rattled nerves.
Former Football Icon Wakes Up to a Nightmare
Yossi Benayoun has played in front of 50,000 roaring fans at Anfield. But nothing quite prepares you for a grenade being hurled at your home in the middle of a peaceful Sunday.
The retired footballer, 44, who once wore the captain’s armband for Israel and starred for clubs like West Ham, Chelsea, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, was at his residence in Ramat Hasharon when the explosive was thrown. It landed just outside, causing panic but thankfully no injuries.
Local police said a motorcyclist was seen approaching the property, tossing the grenade, and disappearing down the street. Investigators and bomb squads were quickly on the scene, combing for clues.
“This Wasn’t Meant for Me,” Says Benayoun
Benayoun was quick to speak out. Calm but clearly shaken, he told The Sun that he didn’t believe he was the actual target.
“This is definitely a mistake – I have no doubt that the grenade was not aimed at my house,” he said, adding that he has no known disputes or threats that could explain the act.
The words were firm, but his tone, say reporters who reached him, carried the quiet disbelief of someone blindsided.
One sentence stood out: “This kind of thing… it’s just not part of my life.”
Hard to argue with that.
Law Enforcement Tight-Lipped but Digging Deep
Police haven’t confirmed any suspects or motives yet. But they’ve launched a criminal investigation and are treating it as a serious incident.
The working theory? Mistaken identity.
Investigators are analyzing surveillance footage from surrounding homes and streets. They’re also talking to neighbors and nearby residents. A source close to the investigation said officers believe the attacker may have confused Benayoun’s house with another in the area.
That’s the kind of “wrong address” scenario that could have had deadly consequences.
Not an Isolated Incident in Israel
This attack didn’t happen in a vacuum. Israel has seen a string of similar grenade incidents over the past year — many linked to disputes, gang activity, or local vendettas.
Here’s a quick breakdown of recent similar cases:
| Date | Location | Incident | Motive Suspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | Haifa | Grenade thrown at local business owner’s home | Extortion-related |
| Feb 2025 | Be’er Sheva | Explosive device found outside school | Unclear, possibly domestic |
| March 2025 | Tel Aviv suburbs | Grenade lobbed at wrong home | Mistaken identity |
| April 2025 | Ramat Hasharon | Benayoun’s house targeted | Mistaken identity |
The pattern is hard to ignore.
Benayoun’s Quiet Life Post-Retirement
After retiring from professional football in 2019, Benayoun shifted to a quieter, more private lifestyle. He’s been involved in youth football development and has occasionally appeared as a pundit on Israeli sports channels.
Friends describe him as “low-profile,” “family-focused,” and “not someone you’d expect to be mixed up in anything shady.”
He’s also been living in one of the more upscale and calm neighborhoods north of Tel Aviv — far removed from the kind of chaos that unfolded outside his front gate.
In fact, Ramat Hasharon is known more for yoga classes and tech execs than anything resembling street crime.
Could the Attacker Have Mixed Up the Address?
Ramat Hasharon has streets with identical layouts and houses that look almost cloned. The attacker, speeding in on a motorcycle under the cover of early evening, could’ve miscounted house numbers or gotten the GPS wrong.
One of Benayoun’s neighbors, who didn’t want their name used, said,
“Two houses down lives a guy who had some legal troubles last year… I don’t want to speculate, but people are talking.”
Another added, “Nobody messes with Yossi. He’s a national icon. You’d have to be out of your mind to target him.”
Security Concerns Rise, But So Does Support
Security cameras are being installed and beefed up across the neighborhood. Residents are meeting to discuss safety measures. Some are installing private guards — a common practice in parts of Tel Aviv but less so in this sleepy suburb.
Benayoun’s former clubs, fans, and sports figures have rallied behind him. “This is insane,” tweeted Israeli striker Eran Zahavi. “We love you, Yossi. Stay strong.”
From Liverpool supporters to Chelsea faithful, social media lit up with posts of concern and solidarity.
One post simply read: “Yossi Benayoun brought us joy. Now we stand with him in shock.”
