World News
US-led peace board warns Hamas over kites following Israeli threat
A US-led board overseeing the Gaza ceasefire told Hamas to cease all militant activity, including flying kites, while directing Israel to limit strikes to imminent threats.
The short version
- The US-led Board of Peace instructed Hamas to halt all militant activity, specifically citing kites, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened increased military operations.
- The board also reminded Israel to respect the ceasefire and limit actions strictly to responding to genuine and imminent threats.
- Israeli strikes have continued in Gaza, resulting in further casualties and the destruction of a nutrition supplies warehouse, according to local medical sources and aid organizations.
- A key concern remains whether the fragile ceasefire will hold as Gaza healthcare authorities report critical shortages of essential supplies, including operational oxygen stations.
Key facts
- An anonymous official from the US-led Board of Peace stated that Hamas must stop all militant activity, including flying kites, and that Israel must limit military responses to genuine and imminent threats.[France 24]
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would increase Gaza operations if Hamas launches kites, drones, or balloons.[France 24]
- Hamas official Basem Naim and UN rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani criticized the warning regarding children's kite flying.[France 24]
- Medical Aid for Palestinians reported that an Israeli overnight strike destroyed a warehouse in Gaza containing nutrition supplies intended for mothers and children.[Al Jazeera]
- Gaza health officials stated that 1,288 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the October ceasefire declaration, and warned that only 12 of approximately 34 oxygen stations remain operational.[France 24 · Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unverified whether any of the recently discovered kites across the Gaza border carried explosive materials, though Israeli media noted at least one bore a political message.[France 24]