Netanyahu warns Hamas over Gaza launches as group accuses Israel of escalation

TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that Israel would intensify targeted strikes against those responsible for launching drones, balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip if the launches do not cease immediately, as Hamas accused Israel of using children’s kites as a pretext to escalate “attacks” on Gaza.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister of Israel’s official handle said that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held “a situational assessment this evening regarding the threat of drones, balloons and kites launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. The discussion was attended by Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council, and senior IDF officials”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a situational assessment this evening regarding the threat of drones, balloons and kites launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. The discussion was attended by Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal…

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 23, 2026

Israel warned 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.”

The Prime Minister clarified that ” there will be no return to the state of affairs prior to October 7. Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organization or any other element in the Gaza Strip to threaten our communities again and compromise our citizens’ sense of security.”

On the other hand, Hamas accused Israel of fabricating a pretext to escalate “attacks” on Gaza after Israel threatened strikes over kites flown by Palestinian children, Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a statement on the group’s website that the move was “threatening children”. He called on the US, mediating and guarantor states, and the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to halt its escalation in Gaza, which he said was an attempt to unravel a ceasefire that the Palestinian side remains “fully committed to”.

Meanwhile, in a security development, precision strikes targeted Ismail Abu Ful, described as a commander operating within a weapons manufacturing site belonging to Hamas’ production headquarters.

The IDF stated that Abu Ful took an active part in manufacturing explosive devices and anti-tank rockets for the group’s military wing. The targeted weapons facility was reportedly embedded near an international organisation’s aid distribution point.

ELIMINATED: Ismail Abu Ful, a commander at a weapons manufacturing site within Hamas’ production headquarters, who took an active part in manufacturing explosive devices and anti-tank rockets for Hamas’ military wing.

Additionally, the same manufacturing site, which was… pic.twitter.com/EotVw8t69a

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 23, 2026

“Ismail Abu Ful, a commander at a weapons manufacturing site within Hamas’ production headquarters, who took an active part in manufacturing explosive devices and anti-tank rockets for Hamas’ military wing. Additionally, the same manufacturing site, which was established near an aid distribution point operated by an international organization, was struck. These actions demonstrate how Hamas systematically violates the ceasefire agreement while attempting to rehabilitate its military capabilities,” the post read.

The developments came as US Special Envoy Jared Kushner said Washington had made significant progress during a nearly four-hour meeting with Netanyahu on August 17, with discussions focusing on Gaza reconstruction, demilitarisation and Israel’s security concerns.

In an interview with Fox News, Kushner said, “Today, we had a very good meeting. We were there for almost four hours with him and his team going through all the different details”. He described the proposal as a potential “win-win situation” for Israel, arguing that Hamas handing over weapons and tunnels voluntarily would eliminate a major security threat to the country.

“For Israel, we think this is a win-win situation because if Hamas actually gives over the weapons and the tunnels willingly over the next 60 to 90 days, that obviously would be the elimination of a huge security threat for Israel–almost an unthinkable achievement,” Kushner said.

Kushner said the US remained committed to rebuilding Gaza but would not allow reconstruction to begin until demilitarisation takes place. “We’re very committed to the fact that we have a plan to rebuild Gaza, but we will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until the demilitarisation occurs,” Kushner said.

The meeting came after Netanyahu rejected the Trump administration’s 15-point Gaza ceasefire plan announced earlier this month. (ANI)