Netanyahu and Katz Threaten to 'Intensify Strikes' Over Kites Launched From Gaza

After at least four kites flown from Gaza landed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on August 23, 2026 that the IDF would 'intensify strikes against those responsible for the launches and evacuate populations from areas from which kites, drones and balloons are launched' if the practice did not stop immediately. Katz described the kites as an 'act of war.' The army said nothing suspicious was found on the kites and there was no danger to the public, but the incident revived memories of incendiary kite and balloon attacks that plagued southern Israel in earlier years of the conflict. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem dismissed the objects as 'children's toys in the refugee camps' and accused Israel of using 'fabricated pretexts' for further aggression.