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IDF tracks rising Gaza kite launches amid resident fears of pre-Oct. 7 complacency

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The IDF has tracked at least six kites launched from Gaza into Israeli territory over the past week, with four crossing in the last 24 hours.
  • Residents and soldiers express concern over the IDF's response, fearing a return to pre-Oct. 7 complacency and potential booby traps.
  • Military sources state the kites are operated by teenagers directed by Hamas, and the IDF is monitoring the situation to determine if it becomes a trend.

The Israeli military has identified an increasing number of kites launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, raising concerns among residents and soldiers. Over the past week, at least six kites have crossed the border, with four appearing in the last 24 hours alone.

12- and 13-year-old teenagers, who themselves are being operated by other parties, likely Hamas operatives.

— Military sourcesDescribing the likely operators behind the kite launches from Gaza.

Military sources suggest these kites are sent by "12- and 13-year-old teenagers, who themselves are being operated by other parties, likely Hamas operatives." This has sparked criticism from residents of Western Negev communities, who fear a return to the complacency seen before the October 7 attacks. They recall Hamas previously using balloon and kite units to launch incendiary materials that caused significant damage to fields, forests, homes, and infrastructure.

The IDF “is not underestimating the threat, is monitoring it and treating every incident seriously, in order to understand who is operating them, when it happens and where they could fall.”

— Official military sourceThe IDF's official stance on the increasing kite launches from Gaza.

Adding to the unease, soldiers in the IDF's Gaza Division reportedly have not been briefed on the issue and lack organized information on operational procedures for such incidents. Concerns exist that the kites could be booby-trapped. An official military source, however, told Walla that the IDF "is not underestimating the threat, is monitoring it and treating every incident seriously."

We need to wait and see if this becomes the trend, and then steps will be considered accordingly.

— IDF sourceThe IDF's approach to the kite incidents, indicating a wait-and-see strategy.

The IDF acknowledged the recent increase in kite launches, stating, "We need to wait and see if this becomes the trend, and then steps will be considered accordingly." Meanwhile, the IDF Southern Command highlighted that 13 Hamas operatives were eliminated in Gaza over the past week. Uri Epstein, head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, expressed a lack of trust in the military's response, stating that "after October 7, the burden of proof lies with the military and the state."

This brings back the feelings and the déjà vu from the period before October 7.

— Uri EpsteinHead of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, expressing concern over perceived complacency regarding the kite launches.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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