Four kites cross from Gaza border into Israel, Gaza border officials call for strong IDF response

Some fear that objects crossing above the border fence can mark the beginning of a visible escalation. Incendiary balloons or rockets could follow the kites.

Four kites that officials believe crossed over from the Gaza Strip were found in the Kibbutz Nahal Oz area in the past 24 hours, the IDF confirmed on Saturday. 

The IDF emphasized in its statement that it found no suspicious items on the kites and that the public was in no danger.

However, some fear that objects crossing above the border fence can mark the beginning of a visible escalation. Incendiary balloons or rockets could follow the kites.

Gaza Border community officials demand IDF response 

Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, demanded a stronger IDF response.

"We demand that the IDF act against every kite that crosses into Israeli territory, locate it, and deal with it in a timely manner. Not after it has landed. Not in retrospect. In real time," Epstein said

"After October 7, we will no longer receive the words 'it will be okay,' the writing is already in the sky."

The Atid LaOtef movement also warned that the kites should not be dismissed as harmless but should be investigated.

“Four kites in less than 24 hours join a series of similar incidents in recent weeks,” the movement said.

“It would be a mistake to treat this as an innocent or isolated incident. Against the backdrop of developments in the Gaza Strip, the defense establishment must examine the phenomenon as a whole and determine who is behind it and for what purpose,” it added.

Head of Yisrael Beytenu, MK Avigdor Liberman, also called for stronger action, writing that "whoever allows explosive balloons and kites will receive rockets and missiles," in a post on X/Twitter, adding that this mirrored the situation from before the October 7 massacre.

"The government of the massacre has learned nothing and is bringing us closer to another disaster," he wrote.