IDF tracks rising number of Gaza kites launches as border residents warn of pre-Oct. 7 complacency
An official military source told Walla that the IDF “is not underestimating the threat, is monitoring it and treating every incident seriously."
Over the past week, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified at least six kites launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. These kites were reportedly launched by teenagers aged 12-13, who are allegedly being operated by Hamas operatives. Residents of Western Negev communities strongly criticized the IDF for not responding to these incidents, citing previous events where balloon and kite units were used by Hamas to carry incendiary materials into Israeli territory, causing fires and damages.
Military sources claim that the IDF is monitoring the situation seriously, yet soldiers serving in the IDF’s Gaza Division stated they were not briefed on the issue or provided with organized information on how to handle such incidents, with concerns that the kites could be booby-trapped. An IDF official told Walla that the IDF is not underestimating the threat but is treating every incident seriously to understand the operators, timing, and potential locations of the kites.
The IDF Southern Command noted an increase of four kites in the past 24 hours, emphasizing that they would consider further steps if the issue becomes a trend. Meanwhile, the Southern Command highlighted that 13 Hamas operatives were eliminated over the past week, including senior field commanders, in an effort to thwart hostile terrorist activity.
Despite the missing operational response to the kite issue, the IDF stated that no suspicious findings were located on the kites. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed the identification of a kite in the area of Kibbutz Nahal Oz and three additional kites found during subsequent searches, clarifying that no threats to the public were identified.
Urbi Epstein, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, reflected on the situation, stating that after October 7, the burden of proof lies with the military and the state, and residents’ trust in the system is waning. Epstein warned that returning to pre-October 7 patterns, where the Hamas-controlled two million residents still control and operate, could lead to similar incidents.
He stressed the need for the security system to identify and respond to kites in real time, rather than relying on post-incident investigations.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
