Three Killed in Gaza Strikes as Israel Issues New Threats Over Kite-Flying

At least three Palestinians have lost their lives in a series of Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to local medics and media reports. The escalation coincides with a stern warning from Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz, who reiterated threats to expel Palestinians from any zone in Gaza where kites are flown.

A source at Al-Shifa Hospital reported that one Palestinian was killed and several others sustained injuries when an Israeli strike hit a tent housing displaced individuals west of Gaza City. Additionally, the Palestinian Wafa news agency stated that an Israeli drone strike targeted another tent sheltering displaced people in the al-Mawasi area of western Khan Younis, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.

In a separate incident, an Israeli drone struck an electric bicycle near the al-Sinaa intersection west of Gaza City. This attack killed one person and left several others wounded, with at least one in critical condition, according to reports.

These ongoing military actions persist despite a US-brokered ceasefire implemented in October 2025. While large-scale combat largely ceased following the agreement, deadly strikes have continued. The Israeli military stated that its recent Khan Younis air strikes targeted Hamas fighters, claiming on X that a Hamas commander involved in holding three Israeli hostages was eliminated.

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of undermining broader diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, which entail the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the disarmament of Hamas.

During a high-level security meeting with Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and other senior officials, Israel Katz reinforced threats regarding airborne devices. Katz stated that the military would utilize all necessary measures, including the evacuation of residents from any neighborhood or area involved in launching kites and balloons. The policy equates kites and balloons with armed drones, leading Palestinian parents to actively stop their children from flying them.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir previously affirmed that plans to demilitarize Gaza and disarm Hamas would proceed regardless of recent US ceasefire initiatives. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, ongoing Israeli operations have resulted in over 1,300 Palestinian deaths and more than 4,000 injuries since the ceasefire began, alongside five military fatalities and one civilian contractor reported by the Israeli army. The broader conflict, which began in October 2023, has left over 73,400 Palestinians dead and more than 174,400 injured.