World, Middle East

Israeli warplanes target incendiary kite flyers in Gaza

No casualties reported following airstrike

17.07.2018 - Update : 17.07.2018
Israeli warplanes target incendiary kite flyers in Gaza File photo

By Nour Abu Aisha and Hani al-Shaer

GAZA CITY, Palestine 

An Israeli warplane on Tuesday targeted a group of Palestinian activists trying to launch incendiary kites and balloons from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to the Israeli army. 

In a statement, a military spokesman said the air attack had targeted Palestinian activists “launching arson balloons toward Israel from the northern Gaza Strip”. 

No casualties were reported as a result of Tuesday’s airstrike. 

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any cease-fire deal struck with Hamas would not apply to the use of incendiary kites or balloons by Palestinian activists. 

On Saturday, Israel and Hamas -- the latter of which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 -- reportedly agreed to the terms of an Egyptian cease-fire proposal with a view to easing tensions along the Gaza-Israel security fence. 

In recent weeks, Palestinian activists have been flying flaming kites and balloons over Israeli territory as part of ongoing anti-occupation rallies being held along the security fence. 

Since Mar. 30, more than 130 Palestinian demonstrators have been martyred -- and thousands more injured -- by Israeli army gunfire. 

Demonstrators are protesting Israel’s decades-long occupation and its 11-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its 2 million inhabitants of basic commodities.

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