Katz Orders Forceful IDF Response to Gaza Kite, Balloon and Drone Launches as Israel Calls Each an Act of War
Updated
Updated · i24NEWS · Aug 23
Katz Orders Forceful IDF Response to Gaza Kite, Balloon and Drone Launches as Israel Calls Each an Act of War
3 articles · Updated · i24NEWS · Aug 23
Summary
Israel's defense minister ordered the IDF to strike immediately after any balloon, kite or drone launch from Gaza toward western Negev communities, escalating Israel's response after several kites were found near Nahal Oz.
Katz said every launch would be treated as an act of war regardless of whether it carried explosives, and told the military to target organizers, operators and the infrastructure enabling the launches.
The directive also tells the IDF to prepare evacuations of Gaza neighborhoods or areas used for launches, signaling a broader operational response than earlier warnings of increased strikes.
Residents near Gaza have voiced fears of a return to the incendiary kite and balloon attacks seen before October 7, which Katz said Israel is determined to prevent.