Gaza parents urged to stop children flying kites after Israel warning to Hamas

Gaza parents have been urged to cease children from flying kites after Israel issued a warning of a forceful response if the militant group Hamas resumes launching incendiary kites over the border. The popular committees, representing NGOs and charities in Gaza's displacement camps and shelters, issued the warning in a statement on Monday, coordinating with Hamas authorities. The warning aims to protect children's innocent lives, not to restrict their childhood, said the statement.

In 2018, Gazans sent incendiary balloons and kites over the border, igniting fires in hundreds of acres of open fields and farmlands in protest of the Israeli blockade. Recently, several non-incendiary kites were spotted drifting into Israel, alarming villagers living in nearby villages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that those responsible for launching kites, balloons, or drones toward Israel would face assassination, and areas from which they are sent would be ordered to evacuate.

Umm Mohammed, a mother from Gaza City, expressed her concern for her 10-year-old son Ahmed, who and other children typically fly kites for entertainment. She will no longer allow him to do so. A senior Israeli defense official stated that Hamas is attempting to provoke Israel by encouraging Gazans to fly kites.

Hamas officials claim they have complained to ceasefire mediators regarding Israel's use of fake pretexts to continue the war. Israel, however, has complained to the U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace about the kites, stating that all militant activity in Gaza must cease. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim condemned the Board of Peace for characterizing children's play as militant activities.