Army head said to rebuff minister demanding lethal force against kite launchers


Gadi Eisenkot tells Naftali Bennett dropping bombs on Gazans preparing to send incendiary kites and balloons over border is against his moral position,

A Palestinian protestor prepares to attach an incendiary to a kite before flying it towards Israel

Times of israel staff write, “Education Minister Naftali Bennett and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot reportedly clashed Sunday over targeting Gaza Strip Palestinians who launch incendiary balloons and kites towards Israel, with the army commander saying it would be immoral to use lethal fire against them. The exchange came during a security cabinet meeting discussion on how to tackle the problem of the fire balloons and kites, which Gazans have been sending across the border daily, sparking large fires in Israeli fields and forests.”

“The government and military have come under intense domestic pressure to step up its response to stymie the balloons and kites, which has mostly consisted of firing warning shots at cells launching the devices. Some southern residents have adopted the slogan “treat kites as you would rockets.” “Why not shoot at anyone who fires aerial weapons at our communities and also at the cells [preparing the incendiaries for launch]?” Bennett asked Eisenkot, according to a report carried by Hadashot television news Sunday. “There is no legal impediment. Why shoot next to them and not at them? We are talking about terrorists in every respect.”

“Eisenkot replied that he didn’t think ‘shooting at young people and children, who are sometimes those who are launching the balloons, is right,’…’And if it is an adult, identified as an adult?’ probed Bennett. ‘Are you suggesting dropping bombs from a plane on cells launching kites and balloons?” asked Eisenkot. ‘Yes,” said Bennett. ‘That is against my operational and moral position,” Eisenkot replied.” (more…)

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