After Kites Found Near Gaza Border, IDF Strikes Hamas Weapons Depots Inside Two Mosques

The IDF and Shin Bet announced Monday evening that they had carried out targeted strikes on two Hamas weapons depots in the Gaza Strip, where dozens of Kalashnikov rifles, magazines and other military equipment were stored. According to Israel’s security establishment, the weapons were hidden inside two mosques that were effectively used as shelter by the organization’s terrorists.

The strikes were carried out in the Shati and Deir al-Balah areas. The IDF and Shin Bet said that advance warnings were issued to the population before the operation in an effort to reduce the risk of harm. Precision munitions and aerial surveillance were also used during the strikes.

Israel’s security establishment presented the findings as another example of Hamas’ use of civilian structures for military purposes. The joint statement said this was part of "Hamas’ systematic use of civilian infrastructure, including mosques, in violation of international law and for the purpose of advancing and carrying out terrorist plans against IDF forces operating in the yellow-line area and the citizens of the State of Israel."

The operation comes amid additional incidents reported in recent days along the Gaza border. At least five kites were found in Kfar Aza and Nahal Oz after, according to assessments, they were launched from the northern Gaza Strip. Inspectors found no incendiary or explosive materials on them, but the kites carried various messages in Arabic. One bore the message: "We will never calm down."

Preliminary field investigations indicate that the kites were flown by children and teenagers who, according to assessments, acted on instructions from Hamas commanders. Although the kites that were found carried no incendiary or explosive devices, the incidents have stirred memories among some residents of the Gaza border communities of the period before the war. During those years, incendiary kites and balloons first emerged as a threat seen initially as limited, before developing into an ongoing phenomenon that caused widespread fires in the area.

Against the backdrop of these events, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a situation assessment yesterday. At the end of the discussion, Israel conveyed a warning to Hamas that continued launches toward Israeli territory would lead to tougher measures against those responsible.

A statement issued after the situation assessment said: "Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not stop immediately, the IDF will act to increase its targeted operations against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate populations from areas from which kites, drones and balloons are launched. Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization or any other element in the Gaza Strip to once again threaten our communities and undermine our citizens’ sense of security."

At the same time, the IDF clarified that Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement, and that the military will continue operating to remove any immediate threat.