Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that the ultimatum issued by Israel following the launching of balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip toward communities in the Negev has expired.
He made the remarks during a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the head of the Operations Directorate, the commander of the Home Front Command, and other senior defense officials.
“The ultimatum we issued following the launching of balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip toward communities in the Negev has expired," Katz said. According to him, Israel will now regard every launch as “an act of terrorism in every respect."
The Defense Minister warned that any additional incident would be met with a broad response. “From now on, every launch will be met with a powerful response against those responsible, the organizers and the perpetrators, as well as against the launch sites and the infrastructure they use," he said.
Katz added that, in accordance with the directives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his own instructions, the IDF would use all necessary means against the launch sites. He said these measures could also include evacuating the population from an area or neighborhood from which launches are carried out.
“The IDF will use all necessary means, including evacuating the population from an area or neighborhood from which launches are carried out, in order to deal with the centers of terrorism," the Defense Minister said.
Concluding his remarks, Katz made clear that Israel would not allow a return to the methods that characterized the period before October 7.
“We will not allow Hamas or any other element to return to the methods of harassment and threats against the communities of the south as occurred before October 7, and anyone who does so will pay a heavy price."