Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas of intensified targeted strikes and civilian evacuations if the launch of kites, drones, and balloons from the Gaza Strip does not cease immediately. The two leaders held a situational assessment on Sunday with Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and senior Israel Defence Forces officials.
In a joint statement, they said the military would target Hamas commanders responsible for the launches and evacuate populations from areas used as launch sites. Katz described each launch as an act of war. Israeli media reported that several kites were found in communities near the Gaza border over the weekend.
The warning follows Netanyahu's assertion earlier this month that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. A ceasefire has been in place since October 2025.