JERUSALEM (MNTV) — Israel’s defense chief threatened to forcibly evacuate Palestinians from parts of the Gaza Strip over the flying of kites and balloons toward Israel, despite no reported Israeli casualties from the practice.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the army would use “all necessary tools” against areas where kites or balloons are flown, including removing residents from affected neighborhoods.
“Based on the instructions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and my instructions, the Israeli army will use all necessary tools, including evacuating Gaza residents from any area or neighborhood from which kite and balloon launches are carried out,” Katz said.
He made the remarks during a security meeting attended by army chief Eyal Zamir, Israel’s air defense chief and other senior military officials, according to his office.
Katz said the warning followed reports that balloons and kites had been flown from locations inside Gaza.
He vowed a “firm response” both against those responsible and the areas from which the kites and balloons were launched.
The defense chief and Netanyahu issued similar threats Sunday, including warnings of increased assassinations and the expulsion of Palestinians, unless the flying of kites and balloons toward Israel stopped.
Israel has not reported any deaths or injuries caused by the kites or balloons.
The lightweight kites are commonly flown by children and controlled with strings from the ground. When strings snap, winds can carry them beyond Gaza toward nearby Israeli communities, some of which are only a few kilometers from the enclave.
The UN human rights office on Tuesday criticized Israel’s threats to evacuate parts of Gaza over children flying kites, saying such measures would run contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law to protect civilians.
The threats have meanwhile led some groups in Gaza to urge parents to prevent their children from flying kites, amid fears that Israel could use the activity as justification for further attacks.
Conflicting reports on Erez crossing
Separately, Netanyahu denied reports that Israel was preparing to reopen the Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing for goods entering Gaza.
“There are absolutely no instructions to open the Erez crossing for goods,” Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Katz.
He reiterated that Israel would not allow reconstruction in Gaza until Hamas is disarmed and the territory is “fully demilitarized.”
The denial followed a report by Israel’s Channel 24 that the crossing was expected to reopen Sept. 1 amid growing Western pressure on Israel to expand humanitarian aid deliveries to northern Gaza.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN, however, reported that the army had prepared in recent days for a Sept. 1 reopening despite Netanyahu’s statement.
According to KAN, the National Security Council approved preparations amid “significant US pressure.” The preparations included infrastructure and road works around the crossing carried out under US supervision.
Germany’s deputy defense minister visited Israel last Friday to inaugurate a new inspection facility at the crossing that had been purchased by Berlin, KAN reported.