Over the past few weeks, jihadis in Gaza launched kites that crossed the border and landed in or near Israeli communities. For years, similar kites were used as arson weapons, burning Israeli fields and nature reserves.

This time, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued the policy Israel should have had years ago: “We view every launch as an act of war in every sense.” He instructed the IDF to respond immediately and forcefully to any kite, balloon, or drone from Gaza, with or without explosives. “A balloon is treated like a kite, and a kite is treated like a drone.” Most important: “We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7.”