On August 24, Israeli media reported that 4 kites were found in residential areas near the Gaza border, and one more was shot down by the army, bringing the total number of recovered objects in recent days to about 10.
The incidents revived memories of kites and balloons carrying flammable materials from Gaza in previous years, which caused fires on many agricultural land areas in southern Israel.
According to reports, the Israeli military believes Hamas is behind these releases. The objects are not carrying explosives and may be a test of how Israel will react.
Israel warned Hamas that if the releases to Israel do not stop immediately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will take action to strengthen targeted operations targeting those responsible... and will evacuate people from areas where kites, drones and balloons are released," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Katz said in a joint statement.
Israel has conducted a security assessment with military leaders and senior security agencies to discuss this issue.
Meanwhile, Hamas denied responsibility. Mr. Bassem Naim, a member of the Hamas Politburo, stated in a statement that the kites were "raised by children in Gaza as they searched for their innocent childhood in the rubble".
The Islamic movement Hamas also accused Israel of using kite flying as an "excuse" for airstrikes in central Gaza, killing 3 people according to Gaza City Civil Defense forces.
