Israeli defense minister orders military response to launches from Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has ordered the military to act against the launching of balloons, paper airplanes and drones from the Gaza Strip, his office said. The directive covers assassinations of Hamas leaders responsible for the operations and those carrying them out, evacuation of launch areas and targeting of military infrastructure. Katz said each launch operation would be treated as a full act of war, with balloons handled the same as paper airplanes, and paper airplanes treated the same as drones regardless of whether they carried explosives. He added that Israel would not allow a return to the situation that existed before October 7. Israeli authorities said at least four paper airplanes launched from Gaza fell in surrounding areas in the past 24 hours. Local officials have urged the public not to touch the devices due to the possible presence of flammable material or explosives. Security agencies are investigating whether the airplanes were used to gather information on facilities near Gaza. Officials have not confirmed that explosives were found on the downed devices, and Hamas has not claimed responsibility for the launches.