UN rejects Israel’s threat to expel Gaza residents over kite-flying

For context, the United Nations has condemned Israel's threat to expel Palestinians from areas of the besieged Gaza Strip where kites were being flown by children.

Key points

• Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, rejected the Israeli warning over the kites.
• Israel cautioned Hamas on Sunday that it would intensify military operations if kites, drones or balloons continue, saying those responsible would be targeted.
• Gaza's popular committees, coordinating with Hamas authorities, pressed parents on Monday to stop children flying kites, saying they were acting "to protect their innocent lives".
• The dispute comes against the backdrop of a "ceasefire" in Gaza that has failed to halt Israeli attacks.
• A number of kites not carrying incendiary devices were noted to have drifted into southern Israeli communities over the last month.

"On the threat of expulsion due to children's kite flying, I hope we can all agree that this is outrageous, " UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani remarked to journalists on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a number of kites not carrying incendiary devices were noted to have drifted into southern Israeli communities over the last month. The incidents have evoked memories of incendiary kites and balloons introduced from Gaza in 2018, in what Palestinians stated was a protest against the Israeli blockade of the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, in a joint statement on Sunday, remarked "Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not cease immediately", Israeli forces "will take action to intensify targeted operations against those responsible". They "will evacuate the population from areas from which kites, drones and balloons are launched", it continued.

"Every summer, my kid, Ahmed, and the kids in the street fly those kites to entertain themselves, " Umm Mohammed, a mother in Gaza City, informed the Reuters news agency. "But I will not allow him to – not any more."

"Is it conceivable that attempts to appease the war criminal Netanyahu have led them to describe innocent children's activities as armed activities, while Netanyahu continues to kill and destroy daily despite the agreement?"

Meanwhile, the dispute comes against the backdrop of a "ceasefire" in Gaza that has failed to halt Israeli attacks. More than 1, 280 Palestinians have been killed since the agreement took effect in October, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.

For now, UN rejects Israel's threat to expel Gaza residents over kite remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.