Israel Warns Hamas Against Drone and Incendiary Balloon Launches from Gaza

TEL AVIV, August 23. /TASS/. Israel has warned Hamas against launching drones from the Gaza Strip, saying that it will target those responsible for that, the Israeli prime minister’s office said.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a situational assessment this evening regarding the threat of drones, balloons and kites launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel," it said, adding that the meeting was also attended by Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council, and senior army officials.

"Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not cease immediately, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces - TASS) will act to increase targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas used as launch sites for kites, drones, and balloons," the office said. "Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization or any other element in the Gaza Strip to threaten our communities again and compromise our citizens' sense of security."

Palestinian radical have been launching kites and balloons with burning objects toward Israel since late March 2018, after mass riots on the Palestinian enclave’s border. Israel brans such launches as terrorist activity.

According to The Times of Israel newspaper, at least four such kites have been spotted near the Nahal Oz near the Gaza border over the weekend. No "suspicious-looking objects" were attached to kites, it added.