Jerusalem, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Israel has warned Hamas that it will intensify targeted strikes if the launch of drones, balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip towards Israel does not stop immediately, following a security assessment led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
The assessment focused on the threat posed by aerial devices launched from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council and senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officials also attended the meeting.
“Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not cease immediately, the IDF will act to increase targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas used as launch sites for kites, drones, and balloons,” a joint statement said.
Netanyahu also said Israel would not return to the situation that existed before October 7, stressing that Hamas or any other group in Gaza would not be allowed to threaten Israeli communities or undermine residents’ sense of security.
The warning comes amid continued Israeli efforts to address security concerns linked to Gaza. Last week, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu and the Board of Peace had agreed to establish two working groups, one focused on the disarmament and demilitarisation of Gaza and another on sanitation, clean water and other public health issues.
The Israeli government said the disarmament and demilitarisation process should be completed before reconstruction begins in Gaza.
On August 5, Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed. He also said IDF personnel had been instructed to take necessary measures to protect themselves, Israeli territory and civilians.
The latest warning signals that Israel intends to maintain pressure on Hamas over aerial threats originating from the Gaza Strip.
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