Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he issued "firm and direct" instructions to the Israeli military to act immediately and forcefully against the launching of balloons, kites, and drones from the Gaza Strip toward the "Gaza Envelope" settlements. He stressed that any launch would be treated as a "full-fledged act of war."
اضافة اعلان
A spokesperson for Katz explained, in statements reported by Yedioth Ahronoth on Sunday, that the issued directives entail taking all field measures to curb this phenomenon. This includes executing targeted operations and assassinations against Hamas leaders and operatives responsible for the launches, evacuating areas and neighborhoods utilized for launching, and striking associated infrastructure.
Earlier, the Israeli occupation army announced the landing of 4 kites, believed to have been launched from Gaza, inside an Israeli settlement adjacent to the Strip.
The incident raised concerns among residents of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, prompting demands for action against what they termed a "threat to their security."
The Israeli army added that the kites, attached to kilometers-long strings, were launched across the border from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military claimed that Hamas was responsible for launching the kites and that it did so to test Tel Aviv's response.
However, the military noted that nothing suspicious was found attached to the kites and that there was no danger posed at any stage.
Kibbutz Nahal Oz was one of the border communities in Gaza targeted by Hamas during the October 7 attack; it was evacuated following the incident before residents gradually began returning in 2024.
