Gazans have begun destroying kites in recent days after Israeli warnings against renewed launches toward border communities. Gazan channels published footage showing merchants and residents tearing up kites, alongside calls for people to refrain from flying them over the camps.
أقدم أهالي قطاع غزة على تمزيق الطائرات الورقية الخاصة بأطفالهم لحمايتهم، وذلك عقب تهديدات أطلقها جيش الاحتلال باستهداف كل من يقوم بإطلاقها في سماء القطاع. pic.twitter.com/1r1pUADjdE
— قدس اليومية (@QUDnewS) August 25, 2026
صدق أو لا تصدق!
هذا فيديو معبر، مفعم بالقهر والحزن، لطفل غزيّ قرر العدو أن يحرمه من حقه في اللعب باللعبة الوحيدة المتاحة، الطائرة الورقية!
تصنع هذه الطائرات في مصانع الصواريخ الذكية بغزة، يستخدم الخبراء فيها ورقا ملونا، وخيوطا من الأمل، وأحلاما بريئة، وسماء مفتوحة، وأقداما حافية… pic.twitter.com/EBqlEXPqb1— يونس أبو جراد (@YunusAbujarad) August 24, 2026
In one video circulating in the Strip, a resident is heard saying: “Here, we’re following your instructions, Haj Netanyahu.” Another clip stated the kites were being destroyed “for the sake of Gaza’s children,” amid fears of an Israeli response following kite launches near populated areas.
Meanwhile, Gazan channels published a call from a body calling itself the “Popular Committees in the Displaced Camps in the Strip,” urging residents to cooperate immediately and stop flying kites. The statement said that given “the most dangerous security situation,” action must be taken to prevent possible strikes by IDF forces.
“Given the most dangerous security situation, and to avoid being hit by Israeli occupation forces, we call on all residents to cooperate immediately and prevent people from flying kites over the camps,” the statement read. The committees also called on parents “to increase supervision” and implement the measure immediately.
The statement continued: “The safety of our children is our top priority, and we do not want their innocent moments of play to turn into another bloody tragedy added to the fabric of our suffering.”
Israel is watching the return of the kite phenomenon with concern, after incendiary kites and similar devices were previously used as a terror tool that caused fires in border areas. In recent days, Israeli leadership made clear that areas from which launches are carried out could be evacuated if the phenomenon continues.
Hamas tried to deny responsibility for the phenomenon and claimed Israel is “looking for excuses” to strike in the Strip. However, the public calls inside Gaza to prevent people from flying kites, alongside footage of their destruction, indicate that Israeli warnings are already being felt strongly on the ground.