UN Rights Office Condemns Israel’s Gaza Kite Evacuation Warning

The UN Human Rights Office condemned a warning by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that Israel would intensify targeted strikes and evacuate civilians from Gaza launch areas if kite, drone and balloon launches continue. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani called the proposed response “outrageous” at a Geneva briefing. Israel issued the warning after recent kite launches near the border, which the IDF assessed were directed by Hamas as a test of Israel’s response. Hamas denied responsibility, while past incendiary kite and balloon campaigns caused extensive fires and agricultural damage in southern Israel.