An additional kite launched from the Gaza Strip was found on Monday afternoon in Nahal Oz in the Sha'ar Hanegev region, after four other kites that crossed the border during the weekend were found in the area.
Sha'ar Henegev Regional Council Chairman Ori Epstein criticized the security establishment's response to the incidents and said that the continuation of the launches "strengthens the understanding that this is not just a one-off event. While Hamas is regaining its strength, Israel is returning to its policy of containment and reactivity instead of initiative."
Epstein added, "We expect a clear and unequivocal Israeli policy: any item that crosses from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory must be identified and dealt with in real-time, not just after it lands in the territory of our communities."
On Sunday, after holding a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior defense officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "We will not return to the reality that existed before October 7. Israel will not allow the Hamas terror organization, or any other factor in the Gaza Strip, to return and threaten our settlements and undermine the sense of security of our citizens."
It was also clarified that "Israel is warning Hamas that if launches toward Israel are not stopped immediately, the IDF will act to intensify interdiction against those responsible for the launches and will move populations out of areas from which kites, drones, and balloons are set to be launched."