PM Netanyahu: We Are Prepared For War With Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated that the military is prepared for any eventuality in the Gaza Strip and warned that Jerusalem’s response to months of protests along the border will escalate “as necessary.” The comments come amid reports of discord within the Israeli security cabinet over how to deal with the growing incidence of so-called “Terror Kites” being launched from the Palestinian enclave into Israel. Along with the child’s toy, incendiary objects ranging from helium balloons—some containing explosive devices—to rigged condoms have wreaked havoc on southern Israel, destroying thousands of acres of fields, crops and nature reserves. According to media accounts, more hardline ministers are advocating for a policy of targeting those launching the primitive weapons, effectively blurring any distinction between them and terrorists firing rockets; whereas others are arguing that such an approach would result in tremendous international fall-out, especially in cases involving Palestinian youths. Meanwhile, tensions with Hamas-ruled Gaza continue to soar to the highest levels since the 2014 war, as more than 45 mortars and rockets were fired from the enclave into Israel overnight Tuesday. In response, the IDF struck more than two dozen Hamas assets, in line with a longstanding policy of holding the terror group responsible for any attacks emanating from the territory it controls.