As Palestinians continued launching flaming kites into Israeli territory, Israeli children earlier this week sent balloons carrying candy over the border to Gaza as a gesture of peace.
Nevertheless Israeli firefighters scrambled to contain 15 fires that broke out in the western Negev on Thursday due to air-born arson devices sent over from Gaza.
Kites, balloons and inflated latex condoms carrying smoldering coal or rags soaked in oil have sparked hundreds of fires in Israeli territory, landing on farmland and near homes over the past two months. Thousands of acres of land in southern Israel have been set ablaze causing millions of shekels in damage, an estimated $1.4 million.
“They are not toys, they are weapons that are intended to kill and inflict damage,” IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said.
The kites and balloons look innocent and are alluring to young children, posing an even greater potential danger. In fact a colorful bouquet of balloons landed on a trampoline in an Israeli resident’s backyard — with an explosive device attached.
“Balloons on a trampoline in the backyard — that’s a decorative play area and beckons the most innocent ones,” said Meirav Vidal, who lives in the house with her children. “And yet our children have lost their innocence because of this phenomenon. These days it’s important to explain to kids that balloons are also a ‘suspicious object’ that they have to keep away from, to not touch and to call an adult.”
Since March 30, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been using this new type of warfare, which, though seemingly innocuous, is being blamed for an escalation in tensions between Gaza and Israel.
“The IDF views the use of incendiary balloons and kites with great severity and will operate to prevent their use,” the military said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that Israel’s response to the ongoing balloon arson attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip will “intensify as needed.”
“The intensity will increase as necessary,” he said at graduation ceremony for new IDF officers. “We are prepared for every scenario, and its best that our enemies understand this, and now.”
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said the army is thwarting attacks, but warned that the situation is unstable.
“The events of the past few weeks in the north and the south demonstrate how volatile things are. The IDF works around the clock with a power that is known to our enemies,” he said. “We will continue to strike those who wish us harm and will bring back security to the residents of the south, as it is in other parts of the country.”
These Israeli children, who live in communities that have been terrorized by Gazan arson kites, flew kites today with a totally different message: peace. pic.twitter.com/DDYRgVbXQi
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) June 11, 2018