Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem warned Sunday evening that Israeli threats regarding kite launches are a pretext to justify continued aggression against Palestinians in Gaza. Qassem described the kites as 'children's toys' and called on the United States, mediating countries, and guarantor states to pressure Israel to stop what he termed 'this eruption of aggression.'
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem warned Sunday evening, minutes after a statement by Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim, that Israeli threats regarding kite launches are a pretext to justify continued aggression against Palestinians in Gaza. Qassem called on the United States, mediating countries, and guarantor states to pressure Israel to stop what he termed 'this eruption of aggression.' Qassem described the kites as 'children's toys.'
The development follows a report by The Zioneer at 19:59 Jerusalem that Israel had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Peace Council in Gaza demanding an end to incendiary kite attacks and threatening a massive aerial campaign if the demand was not met. At around the same time, Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed receipt of the ultimatum, rejected it, and accused Israel of 'daily terror' and 'genocide.' No Israeli official has publicly confirmed the ultimatum.
The kite launches from Gaza represent a recurring low-intensity tactic that has drawn periodic Israeli warnings. The Zioneer previously reported on Israeli security assessments warning that the Gaza Strip was on the verge of a major escalation, and on Hamas demands in the context of ceasefire negotiations.
It remains unverified whether Israel formally conveyed a 72-hour ultimatum as described. The claims derive solely from The Zioneer's initial report and Hamas statements. No official Israeli confirmation has been provided.
5 developments
- DevelopingVideo shows Gaza children playing in makeshift pools, waving PLO flags, according to Telegram post
- DevelopingOnline campaign falsely claims Israel paints bombs to look like soccer balls to lure Lebanese children
- StrongGazans destroy kites preemptively, say they fear Israeli strikes — report
- DevelopingVideo shows children at Hamas summer camps in former Gaza settlement areas undergoing military training
Source and signal
- Open-source intake