The United Nations (UN) has strongly condemned Israel's threat to forcefully evacuate Palestinians from certain areas in the blockaded Gaza Strip due to instances of children flying kites. UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani termed this threat as "outrageous" during a press briefing on Tuesday. The tension escalated over the weekend when Israel issued a warning to Hamas, stating that it would intensify military operations if kites, drones, or balloons continue to be launched from Gaza, with those responsible being targeted. Since last month, several non-incendiary kites have reportedly drifted into southern Israeli communities. The incidents echo similar events in 2018 when incendiary kites and balloons were used as a form of protest against Israel's blockade of Gaza. In response to the Israeli warning, Gaza's popular committees have urged parents to prevent their children from flying kites, citing concern for their safety. The dispute comes amid a ceasefire in Gaza that has failed to halt continuous Israeli attacks, resulting in over 1,280 Palestinian deaths since October, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau, dismissed the Israeli warning regarding the kites, questioning whether attempts to pacify "war criminal" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have led them to label innocent children's activities as armed ones while Netanyahu continues his daily acts of violence despite the agreement.