Is the kite phenomenon from the Gaza Strip resurfacing? Four kites have been spotted since Friday in the Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Bari areas, and surrounding communities are calling on the security system not to take the incidents lightly and to investigate their origin immediately.
According to reports, no incendiary materials or explosives were found on the kites, but residents recall that in previous waves of 'kite terror', terrorists began by sending "innocent" kites, and only then did incendiary kites appear, causing widespread fires in the surrounding areas.
This follows a series of similar events in recent months.
Just this week, another kite was found near Nahal Oz with Arabic writing on it, and a week earlier, another kite was found in Moshav Shuva. Since the October 7 attack, at least seven kites have been found in the area.
The IDF is not confirming at this stage that the kites came from the Gaza Strip, and notes that they are unable to determine their origin with certainty. However, their mere intrusion into the area is causing concern among residents.
Political commentator Amit Segal wrote: "Like in 2018 - six kites from Gaza landed today in an envelope, with a string a kilometer long. Is this a test of tools for launching optical drones?""
An IDF spokesman said: "Yesterday, a kite was spotted in the Kibbutz Nahal Oz area. During searches by forces in the area this morning, three more were spotted. No suspicious findings were found on the kites. According to estimates, the kites crossed the border from the Gaza Strip. At no point was there any danger to the public, and the IDF continues to maintain continuous contact with the communities.".
The 'Future for the Encirclement' movement warned against a return to the containment policy that characterized the years before the war. "Residents of the Encirclement already know how it starts - at first it's just a kite, then another one, and later the exception becomes the norm. After October 7, the State of Israel must not return to this pattern.".
The organization called on the security establishment to investigate the origin of the kites, understand their purpose, and prevent the development of the phenomenon. "Envelope security cannot be reduced to just deploying forces. The responsibility is to remove the threat and not allow its return.".
The response of the Order 9 movement to the explosive kites in the Gaza Envelope: "Explosive kites are a reality that we must not accept! This is terrorism in every sense of the word and must be dealt with in the most serious way. The Hamas terrorists who slaughtered, beheaded, and raped are planning another massacre that could put the settlements of the Strip in danger again.
""The entry of foreign forces into the Strip will only worsen the situation, prevent our forces from acting against threats in and outside the Strip, and forever postpone the dismantling of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Strip.".
""We demand that the political echelon apply real military pressure and prevent the entry of foreign forces that will aid Hamas and increase the threats against the residents of the Gaza Strip and Israel. This coming Tuesday, we will hold a protest rally in Kerem Shalom where the residents of the Gaza Strip will say that they are not willing to be the victims coming from Gaza. The people of Israel must wake up, and quickly.".
