Kites vanish from Gaza skies as parents fear Israeli strikes

The skies over Gaza have fallen quiet. Kites, once a common sight above the enclave, have all but vanished since Israel warned it would strike areas from which kites, balloons, or drones are launched toward its territory.

In Khan Younis, displaced parents say they are destroying their children's kites or hiding them inside tents, fearing Israeli retaliation.

Imad Mortaja, a father of three, said he broke his children's kite after hearing bombing and threats against kite flyers. "I smashed the kite for the safety of my children and those around me," he said. "The kite doesn't harm them in any way, yet they destroy entire residential blocks."

Israeli officials grew concerned after several kites were found in a kibbutz near the Gaza border, though none carried weapons or dangerous materials. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to ramp up strikes unless Hamas ensures that drones, balloons, and kites stop flying toward Israel.

The issue is sensitive in border communities because kites and balloons set aflame have in the past been launched across the border to ignite fields and property in southern Israel.

For families already stripped of nearly everything by the war, the loss of the simple pastime has cut deep.

"Our children, whose dreams have been shattered, have lost everything, their education, their childhood, the simple things they used to enjoy," said Atiya Abu Samhan, displaced in Khan Younis. "A nuclear state is bombing our children in the Gaza Strip because of a kite that poses no threat to them whatsoever."

Others described childhoods hemmed in on every side. "The children are forbidden to play, forbidden to go out. If they go out, there's bombing. If they fly a kite, there's bombing," said Reem Abu Samhan, displaced from east of Khan Younis. "Day and night, the child begs while sitting in a tent. There's no television, nothing. No mobile phone, no tablet, nothing at all."

Samira Qahwaji, also displaced from east of Khan Younis, called it "a complete targeting of childhood." "This is children's favorite game, a seasonal one. They make kites, play with them, and are happy watching them fly," she said. "Our children are now deprived of all games. There are no play areas, no houses, no electricity, no education, no healthcare, nothing."

A Hamas spokesperson called the kites "essentially children's toys," accusing Israel of using them "as an attempt to justify the continuation of aggression and violations against our people."