The growing discussion over kites launched from the Gaza Strip in recent days has prompted a series of security assessments and meetings within Israel's security establishment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a special meeting on the issue at the beginning of the week, attended by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior officials. Israeli security officials believe Hamas' decision to launch kites, and possibly take further action, stems from deep frustration over the high rate at which the IDF is targeting its operatives: three or four terrorists a day, amounting to about 20 a week and roughly 80 a month.
At the conclusion of the special meeting, a statement was issued saying that if the launching of balloons and kites continued, around 10 had been launched over the previous week and a half, the IDF would "increase targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and evacuate the population from areas from which drones, kites and balloons are launched." In practice, the warning has not had to be carried out. No additional kites have been launched since Monday, after about 10 were launched during the preceding week, including four on Saturday.
Why Hamas is frustrated
In closed-door discussions, IDF officials are not dismissing the issue, but the prevailing view is that it should be closely monitored and that the military should try to identify and target those launching the kites. Officials familiar with the matter believe the task should not be particularly complicated, because those directing the kite launchers are not operating under a high level of secrecy. They therefore believe it is only a matter of time before they are located and targeted.
Some of those targeted by Israel are Hamas commanders or operatives, while others took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. Against the backdrop of this frustration, Hamas has resumed launching kites and, as was seen about two weeks ago, attempting to plant explosive devices, one of which was run over by a tank. The concern is that the terrorist organization could turn to more serious measures.
Several weeks ago, at the request of Israel's political leadership and the US-backed Board of Peace, it was decided that every strike in the Gaza Strip would require the chief of staff's approval. The aim was to avoid harming the diplomatic efforts led by Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov and his team, particularly amid a visit to the region by US envoy Jared Kushner.
It has now emerged, however, that following Kushner's visit, and after the diplomatic contacts failed to produce a breakthrough, the IDF returned to its policy of targeted strikes and lowered the level at which operations in Gaza may be approved. As of now, the head of the IDF Southern Command may also authorize strikes in the Strip, although particularly sensitive operations still require the approval of the chief of staff and, in some cases, the political leadership.
"We changed our approach"
The IDF currently controls 63%-64% of the Gaza Strip, has two divisions comprising 16 battalions deployed there and has established around 40 military posts inside the territory. At a slow but systematic pace, the IDF is continuing to push Hamas back and expand the Yellow Line, while seeking to avoid provoking Mladenov and the Americans.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Gaza Division on Tuesday and said: "We will not allow terrorist infrastructure to become established. We will act at every opportunity to remove threats as they emerge. We are implementing lessons learned, we have changed our approach, and the IDF will not return to Oct. 6."
Zamir also said: "We are not giving up on the overarching objective: the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas, using every means necessary," adding that "the pursuit of the Oct. 7 terrorists continues. Everyone who took part in the massacre will live as a hunted man until he is eliminated."
In any event, no additional kites had been launched since Monday as of the time of writing. The real test for Israel's defense establishment will be what it does, if anything, should the kite launches resume: whether it will in fact succeed in targeting those responsible and what steps it will take if the phenomenon persists.
