People in Gaza were documented destroying kites used for launches toward Israel, saying they are acting preemptively to deny Israel a pretext for bombing following threats by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz of targeted killings and evacuations, Israeli media reported.
Gaza residents began destroying kites used for launches toward Israel, according to footage aired by N12 journalist Sapir Lipkin. Those filmed said they were acting 'because of Netanyahu' and moving 'before your instructions' to preemptively remove any pretext for Israeli airstrikes. The development marks a potential shift in local behavior following a series of Israeli warnings and military actions over the past two days.
On Sunday Aug 23 at 13:23 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that continued kite launches would trigger intensified IDF strikes, targeted killings of those responsible, and evacuation of civilian areas used for launches. That same afternoon, Israel issued a 3-day ultimatum to the Gaza Peace Council enforcement mechanism to halt all kite, drone, and balloon launches. The IDF confirmed that Hamas was directing the launches, and Defense Minister Katz ordered the military to act with force, including targeting Hamas leaders.
The warnings were backed by action on Monday Aug 24, when IDF airstrikes struck Hamas weapons warehouses in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and central Gaza in response to continued kite and balloon launches, as The Zioneer reported at 22:07. Earlier that day, The Zioneer reported that Middle East analyst Yoni Ben Menachem said Hamas had circulated images of children with kites, falsely claiming they were toys to downplay the threat.
The destruction of kites by Gaza residents suggests that Israeli deterrence messaging may be influencing local conduct. However, it remains unclear whether these actions are spontaneous or coordinated, and whether they will be sufficient to prevent further Israeli strikes as the 3-day deadline approaches.
7 developments
- StrongYoni Ben Menachem: Hamas spread false images of children with explosive kites to downplay threat
- DevelopingHamas rebuilding launch sites in Gaza, preparing for next round, source says
- DevelopingAnalysis: Israeli policy in Gaza becoming dangerous as targeted killings cease, no alternative proposed
- StrongIDF Strikes Hamas Weapons Warehouses Across Gaza in Escalation Over Kite Launches
Source and signal
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