Another kite was spotted this morning in Kibbutz Kfar Aza after several were reported crossing from Gaza over the weekend. Residents in border communities are warning that some have long wires attached—and fear Hamas may be testing a “Hezbollah model.” Following four kites found over the weekend, security forces located another kite this morning in Kibbutz Kfar Aza that is believed to have crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel. According to an IDF statement about the earlier incidents, forces conducting sweeps in the area found three additional kites after one was identified the day before.
1+The IDF said no suspicious findings were detected on the kites and that they are believed to have crossed the border from Gaza. The military added that there was no danger to the public and that the IDF maintains continuous contact with the communities. Residents in border communities are warning that in some cases, the kites have long wire cables attached that make their way from Gaza toward the communities. According to residents who spoke with C14, the concern is that Hamas may be testing a “Hezbollah model”—similar to the terror organization’s use in Lebanon of FPV drones connected to fiber-optic cables, aimed at improving accuracy and making it harder for Israeli defense systems to counter them. According to the residents’ concerns, the use of long wires may indicate Hamas is preparing to deploy similar aerial devices in the future. They say the current kites may be launched to survey the terrain, test flight paths, and identify routes where wires or fibers won’t get snagged on the way to border communities or toward IDF forces operating in the area.
1+Against this backdrop, international discussions continue over deploying an international stabilization force in Gaza and rebuilding the Strip. The Prime Minister’s Office clarified over the weekend that the political leadership has not approved the entry of an international force into Gaza, and that Israel insists there will be no reconstruction in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. A political source added that Israel will continue to hold the Yellow Line and that there will be no withdrawal as long as Hamas has not been disarmed and the Strip has not been fully demilitarized. According to the source, any entry of an international force will require individual approval from the prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister, and Israel will determine which countries can send representatives.