Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered a zero-tolerance policy toward the launching of kites and balloons carrying incendiary materials from the Gaza Strip toward border communities.
Jnews.az reports that Israel Katz stated a firm response will be given to such incidents. According to him, regardless of whether there are explosives on the kites and balloons, their launch will be evaluated in the same manner as the use of drones.
“If the launches continue, forceful action will be taken to put an end to this threat. A balloon or kite will be equated to a drone — whether with explosives or without,” Katz said.
Israeli leadership emphasized that security breaches in the country’s border areas and a return to the situation that existed prior to October 7, 2023, will not be allowed.
It was reported that during a meeting involving Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and other high-ranking military officials, options for expanding targeted strikes and evacuating residents living in areas used for launching kites and balloons were discussed.
Israeli military reported that in recent days several instances of such objects crossing the country’s border have been recorded. Although no suspicious items were detected on some devices detected earlier, militant groups in the Gaza Strip have repeatedly used such means with the aim of carrying out arson and causing damage on Israeli territory.
Source: jns.org
