--- title: "Israel finds kites near Gaza, orders forceful response" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-08-23T17:45:39.841Z" source_reported: "2026-08-23T15:28:00.248Z" updated: "2026-08-23T18:15:22.446Z" trust_score: 30 critic_score: 45 hype_score: 61 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-23T19:00:32.591048+00:00" --- # Israel finds kites near Gaza, orders forceful response *The IDF stated no suspicious items were found on the kites, assessing Hamas is responsible.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 30 of 100, higher is better. The central claim rests on anonymous sourcing, with no named sources or independent outlets. - Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. The digests are short and lack detail, making it difficult to assess reporting craft. - Hype 61 of 100, lower is better. Headlines suggest imminent danger and a repeat of past attacks, which the digests do not fully support. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Several kites were found in Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip over the weekend. - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that no suspicious items or explosives were found on the kites. - The IDF assesses that the terrorist organization Hamas is responsible for launching the kites. - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the army to act forcefully against the launching of kites, balloons, or drones from Gaza. Several kites were discovered in Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip over the weekend. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that no suspicious items or explosives were found on the kites. The IDF assesses that the terrorist organization Hamas is responsible for launching them. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the army to act forcefully against the launching of kites, balloons, or drones from Gaza. ## Divergent reports on kite numbers and potential threat Reports varied on the number of kites found. Jewish News Syndicate reported four kites, while Yeshiva World News mentioned several kites found near Nachal Oz and Be'eri. The Jewish Chronicle stated there were no suspicious items on the kites, according to the IDF. Upday reported that the army assumes Hamas is responsible and that no explosives were found. Economx.hu and Portfolio suggested the kites could signal a return to previous attacks, with Portfolio referencing the events of October 7, 2023. Alsumaria.tv reported that Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate those responsible and evacuate areas from which they originate. News.walla.co.il reported six kites crossed into Gaza and that the IDF assesses Hamas is using teenagers, while a military source stated the threat is being taken seriously. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the instruction from Defense Minister Israel Katz to act forcefully against the launching of kites, balloons, or drones from Gaza. The digests also do not mention the IDF's assessment that Hamas is responsible for launching the kites. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 23% (3) - Centre: 15% (2) - Right: 62% (8) 10 of 23 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-23T19:00:32.591048+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-23T19:15:33.742Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Cumhuriyet reported that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz met with military leaders to discuss kites and drones from Gaza. The outlet stated Israel threatened forceful attacks and expulsions if kite launches did not stop. - Ynet News reported the IDF believes Hamas directed children to fly kites from Gaza. These kites carried messages, including "We will never calm down," but initial assessments found no explosives. - Haaretz reported that kites from Gaza raised concern in southern Israel, with residents recalling similar tactics before October 7. The IDF stated no suspicious materials were found on the kites. ### Centre - The Jerusalem Post and The Express Tribune reported that four kites crossed from Gaza into Israel. Both outlets stated the kites carried no explosives. The Jerusalem Post noted the kites were found in the Kibbutz Nahal Oz area. - The Jerusalem Post reported that Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, demanded a stronger IDF response. It also cited warnings from the Atid LaOtef movement and comments from MK Avigdor Liberman. - The Express Tribune reported that Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened assassinations and evacuations in Gaza. It stated Katz instructed the army to act forcefully against launches and pursue those responsible. ### Right - Right-rated reports focused on the discovery of kites and the IDF's assessment of Hamas's responsibility. Jewish News Syndicate reported the IDF found four kites in Israeli territory flown from Gaza, noting that no suspicious items were found and they posed no danger. Yeshiva World News highlighted "TERROR KITE FEARS" after several kites were found near Gaza border communities, but stated the IDF confirmed no explosives were found and no danger was posed. The Jewish Chronicle's headline stated kites from Gaza found in Israel sparked memory of 2018 arson attacks, and its digest noted the IDF said no suspicious items were found on the kites. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 8 - unknown: 10 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/dunya/gazzeli-cocuklarin-ucurtmasi-israili-rahatsiz-etti-ucurulan-bolgeler-vurulacak/haber-1692786) — Kites Flown by Gazan Children Angered Israel! Areas Where the Kites Were Flown Will Be Bombed. - [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/ucurtma-dusuyormus-netanyahu-yonetiminden-gazze-ye-surgun-ve-saldiri-tehdidi-2531683) — The 'Kite' Is falling... Threats of Expulsion and Attacks on Gaza From the Netanyahu Administration. - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/netanyahu-yonetiminden-ucurtma-nedeniyle-gazze-ye-20169905-haberi) — Israel Gives a Strong Response to the Kite Threat. - [Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA](https://jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Occupation-Classifies-Gaza-Kites-as-Act-of-War-Threatens-Assassinations-54636) — Occupation Classifies "Gaza Kites" as Act of War, Threatens Assassinations - [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2625434/israeli-defense-minister-threatens-gaza-assassinations-evacuations-over-balloon-launches) — Israeli defense minister threatens Gaza assassinations, evacuations over balloon launches - [economx.hu](https://economx.hu/kulfold/2026/08/23/verfagyaszto-uzenet-papirsarkanyokat-eregettek-ujabb-tragikus-fordulatot-jelezhet-terror-hamasz-izrael) — Blood-Curdling Message: Kites Were Flown, Which Could Signal Another Tragic Turn - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-defense-minister-threatens-gaza-assassinations-evacuations-over-balloon-launches/4035182) — Israeli defense minister threatens Gaza assassinations, evacuations over balloon launches - [MEO](https://middle-east-online.com/%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B3-%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%88%D9%91%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%BA%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9) — Katz Threatens to Assassinate Hamas Leaders and Evacuate Neighborhoods in Gaza - [upday](https://upday.com/de/nahost/drachen-mit-drohbotschaft-aus-gaza-israel-reagiert-mit-drastischen-massnahmen/965tlzs) — Kite with Threatening Message From Gaza - Israel Reacts with Drastic Measures - [The Media Line](https://themedialine.org/headlines/israel-probes-gaza-kites-for-possible-hamas-surveillance-drone-tests) — Katz Urges Decisive Action After Gaza Kites Launched Into Israel - [Unknown](https://srugim.co.il/101009233-%D7%9B%D7%A5-%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%97%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%A4%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%A6%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%93-%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8) — Katz Instructed: "Act Forcefully Against the Phenomenon of Kite Launching From Gaza" - [alsumaria.tv](https://alsumaria.tv/news/international/573913/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9) — Israel Is Promising to Launchers of Gaza's Kites. - [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/global/20260823/veszjoslo-jelek-papirsarkanyok-jelentek-meg-izrael-egen-megismetlodhet-2023-oktober-7-e-857686) — Warning Signs: Kites Appear in the Sky over Israel – Could October 7, 2023, Happen Again? - [The Jewish Chronicle](https://thejc.com/news/israel/kites-from-gaza-found-in-israel-spark-memory-of-2018-arson-attacks-ih5mvqdm) — Kites from Gaza found in Israel spark memory of 2018 arson attacks - [Unknown](https://news.walla.co.il/item/3862466) — Six Kites Crossed Into the Gaza Strip - IDF Assesses: Hamas Is Using Teenagers - [Jewish News Syndicate](https://jns.org/news/israel-news/idf-finds-four-kites-in-israeli-territory-flown-from-gaza) — IDF finds four kites in Israeli territory flown from Gaza - [Yeshiva World News](https://theyeshivaworld.com/news/liveblogs/live-blog/2588679/terror-kite-fears-suspicious-kites-found-near-gaza-border-communities-idf-says-no-explosives-found.html) — TERROR KITE FEARS: Suspicious Kites Found Near Gaza Border Communities, IDF Says No Explosives Found - [Al Bawaba](https://albawaba.com/news/high-alert-and-fear-israel-mysterious-1635539) — High Alert and Fear in Israel: Mysterious kilometers-long kites coming from Gaza - [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/gaza-kite-launches-raise-fears-of-renewed-attacks-along-israeli-border) — Gaza kite launches raise fears of renewed attacks along Israeli border - [Ynet News](https://ynetnews.com/article/r1rdiopwzx) — Hamas sent children to fly kites into Israel, IDF says, reviving Gaza border fears - [Arutz Sheva](https://israelnationalnews.com/news/432072) — Four kites found near Gaza border - [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-906260) — Four kites cross from Gaza border into Israel, Gaza border officials call for strong IDF response - [Haaretz](https://haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-08-22/ty-article/.premium/four-kites-believed-to-have-crossed-from-gaza-found-in-southern-israel/000001a0-29a2-d399-afb3-bdaa93600000) — Kites Believed to Have Crossed From Gaza Raise Concern in Southern Israel - Israel Security ## Questions **What was found near the Gaza Strip?** Several kites were found in Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip over the weekend. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that no suspicious items or explosives were found on these kites. **Who is believed to be responsible for the kites?** The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) assess that the terrorist organization Hamas is responsible for launching the kites. This assessment was made following the discovery of the kites in Israeli territory. **What action has been ordered in response?** Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the army to act forcefully against the launching of kites, balloons, or drones from Gaza. This directive aims to prevent further incidents of this nature. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Israel finds kites near Gaza, orders forceful response", https://mediabias.news/conflict/israel-finds-kites-near-gaza-orders-forceful-response