Katz Renews Threat to Evacuate Gaza Residents Over Kite Launches

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz renewed his threat on August 27, 2026 that the Israeli military would 'use all necessary tools, including evacuating Gaza residents from any area or neighborhood' where kites or balloons are launched toward Israeli communities. Katz equated the kites with weaponized drones requiring a military response, extending the warning he and Prime Minister Netanyahu issued days earlier after kites landed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Hamas has dismissed the objects as children's toys and accused Israel of manufacturing pretexts for continued strikes during the ceasefire.