Reports: Israeli aircraft fires missile at Gazans launching kites

Palestinian media reported Sunday that an Israeli aircraft fired a missile at a group of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip about to launch burning kites towards Israel.

According to the Palestinian media there were no injuries from the shot which targeted a group in Shuja’iyya, in the east of Gaza City.

The Israeli military has carried out multiple warning strikes in recent weeks at groups of Gazans preparing to launch incendiary devices toward Israel. The army has said repeatedly that it will act to prevent the launch of the airborne incendiary devices and explosives.

Last week Israeli leaders warned Hamas, which rules Gaza, and other terror groups in the Strip, that the military was prepared to take more intense offensive action as well.

Since March 30, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have launched countless kites, balloons and inflated latex condoms bearing flammable materials, and occasionally explosives, into Israeli territory, sparking near-daily fires that have burned thousands of acres of farmland, parks, and forests.

Israeli leaders have been split on how to respond to those responsible for the airborne arson attacks, with some calling for the IDF to shoot the kite flyers and balloon launchers on sight, while others argued that it would be a step too far.

Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.