The Israeli government has instructed its military to expel Palestinians from areas of the Gaza Strip where children are flying kites and releasing balloons, Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Thursday.
According to the report, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz told army chief Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials that “the ultimatum we issued following the launching of balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip towards Negev communities [in southern Israel] has expired”.
“Every launching of balloons and kites from Gaza towards southern communities will be met with a severe response,” Katz said during a meeting with the military’s top command.
From Israel’s perspective, Katz reportedly said, “every launch is an act of terrorism”, referring to kites and balloons that the Israeli army itself deemed a week ago to pose no danger to Israeli civilians.
“From now on, every launch will be met with a forceful response against those responsible, the organisers and the perpetrators,” Katz said, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the new measure.
