Israel has issued a firm demand to the Board of Peace to take action to stop the launching of kites from the Gaza Strip within the next three days, in order to prevent a large-scale military escalation by the IDF in the area, Kan News reported.
The defense establishment assesses that the Hamas terrorist organization is behind the launching of the kites and is directing the launches carried out in recent days in an effort to test Israel’s response patterns and preparedness.
Against the backdrop of this assessment, the IDF decided to step up the scope and nature of its strikes in the Gaza Strip. As part of the change in policy, security forces struck Hamas weapons depots-a move that goes beyond the targeted strikes carried out until now against terrorists for the purpose of removing an immediate threat.
The warning follows the strong statements issued yesterday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said: “Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not stop immediately, the IDF will act to intensify targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas from which kites, drones, and balloons are launched."
The joint statement issued by the two further emphasized that “the Prime Minister made clear that we will not return to the reality that existed before October 7. Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization or any other element in the Gaza Strip to once again threaten our communities and undermine our citizens’ sense of security."