As incendiary kite and balloon terror from the Gaza Strip targets southern Israeli communities once again, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have moved decisively to crush the emerging threat. Following a direct warning to Hamas that targeted eliminations will escalate, an official ultimatum has now been delivered to international peace mediators.
According to the urgent diplomatic warning issued by Netanyahu and Katz, cross-border kite and balloon attacks must cease entirely within three days. Israeli officials made clear that if launches continue past the 72-hour deadline, the IDF will unleash a massive, prolonged aerial offensive across the Gaza Strip. The direct message follows a comprehensive high-level security assessment that included IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council (NSC), and top defense brass. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s uncompromising security posture: “We will not return to the reality of pre-October 7. Israel will not allow Hamas or any other faction in Gaza to resume threatening our communities and undermining the security of our citizens.”