SAFA - Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem warned Sunday of the danger posed by Israeli claims and threats concerning the launching of kites from the Gaza Strip, stressing that they are primarily children’s toys flown in displacement camps across what remains of Gaza’s territory, while the Israeli occupation army controls around 70% of the Strip.

In a press statement, Qassem said Israeli threats based on fabricated pretexts were an attempt to justify the continued aggression and violations against the Palestinian people, extending even to threats against children in the Gaza Strip.

He called on the US administration, the mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, and the Peace Council to pressure Israel to halt its escalating aggression against Palestinians. He warned that the continuation of such practices was aimed at undermining the ceasefire process, which the Palestinian side has fully committed to.

Qassem’s remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued threats on Sunday, including warnings of assassinations and the evacuation of neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, in response to what Israel claims were kites and balloons launched from Gaza toward settlements bordering the Strip.

Israeli media reported in recent days that several kites had fallen in settlements adjacent to Gaza and were allegedly launched from the Strip, noting that they did not contain explosive materials.

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office threatened to evacuate areas in the Gaza Strip from which it claimed balloons, drones, and kites were being launched, while also threatening to intensify the targeting of those it held responsible.

Hamas warned that Israel’s use of such allegations to justify further threats and attacks could place Palestinian children at even greater risk and further undermine the ceasefire agreement.