British News Agency

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement regarding balloon and kite launches from Gaza toward communities in the Negev.

Katz said that together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to implement a zero-tolerance policy toward balloon and kite launches. He said strong measures would be taken to put an end to the situation if the launches continued.

Katz said balloons and kites would be treated in the same category as drones, regardless of whether they carry explosives, and stated that he would not allow a return to the policies in place before October 7.

Katz said that, unlike the retaliatory raid approach used in the past, they had established together with the Israel Defense Forces a strong army-controlled security zone cleared of communities and terrorist infrastructure, adding that they would not allow this area to be violated.