Netanyahu, Katz warn Hamas of intensified strikes over Gaza kite launches

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have warned Hamas that the military will intensify strikes against those responsible for launching kites from Gaza toward Israeli border communities.

The warning followed an assessment by Netanyahu and Katz with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior military and defence officials over recent kite launches from Gaza, The Times of Israel reports.

At least four kites launched from Gaza landed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz over the weekend. The Israeli military said no suspicious items were found on the kites and that they posed no danger to the public.

However, the objects have raised concerns in southern Israel because kites and balloons carrying incendiary devices were used in previous years to launch attacks from Gaza.

“Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not stop immediately, the IDF will act to intensify strikes against those responsible for the launches and evacuate populations from areas from which kites, drones and balloons are launched,” Netanyahu and Katz said in a joint statement.

By Sabina Mammadli