Hamas on Sunday evening described kites launched from Gaza toward Israeli territory as 'children's toys,' downplaying Israeli security concerns over the launches, according to a statement from the group.
Hamas on Sunday evening issued a formal statement dismissing kites launched from Gaza toward Israel as 'children's toys,' downplaying Israeli security concerns. The group's statement came hours after The Zioneer reported that Israel had issued a three-day ultimatum to the Peace Council in Gaza to halt the incendiary kite attacks, threatening a massive aerial campaign if the demand is not met. The official Hamas response aligns with earlier comments from senior officials but represents the organization's first formal collective statement on the matter.
At 19:59 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported exclusively that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz conveyed a 72-hour ultimatum to the Peace Council, warning of a significant wave of airstrikes across the Strip if kite launches do not cease entirely. Shortly afterward, at the same timestamp, Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim rejected the ultimatum, accusing Israel of 'daily terror' and 'genocide,' and describing kite operators as 'children searching for their lost childhood among the rubble.' Simultaneously, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem echoed the dismissal, calling the kites 'children's toys' and urging the United States, mediating countries, and guarantor states to pressure Israel to stop what he termed 'this eruption of aggression.' The synchronization of these statements within minutes suggests a coordinated messaging effort by the terror group.
The kite launches, which have been used to carry incendiary devices into Israeli territory, have prompted security warnings from Israel. The Zioneer previously reported the ultimatum as a sign of increased Israeli resolve to address the threat. The development underscores the ongoing tension along the Gaza border, with Israel demanding an end to the attacks and Hamas seeking to frame the Israeli response as disproportionate.
As of this evening, it remains unclear whether the Peace Council, a local Gaza body, has responded to the Israeli ultimatum. The Israeli government has not officially confirmed or detailed the ultimatum, and no independent verification of the 72-hour deadline has been provided. The scope of ongoing kite launches and any Israeli military preparations in the event of non-compliance also remain unconfirmed.
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