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Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz warned Thursday that Israel will respond forcefully to any further balloons or kites launched from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel, declaring that the deadline previously given over the attacks has now expired.

Katz issued the warning during a security assessment attended by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the head of the IDF Operations Directorate, the commander of the Home Front Command, and additional senior defense officials.

“The ultimatum we issued following the launching of balloons and kites from the Gaza Strip toward communities in the Negev has expired,” Katz said. He said that from this point forward, Israel will classify every such launch as “an act of terrorism in every respect.”

The defense minister said Israel’s response will extend beyond those directly carrying out the launches and will target the people and infrastructure involved in facilitating the attacks.

“From now on, every launch will be met with a powerful response against those responsible, the organizers and the perpetrators, as well as against the launch sites and the infrastructure they use,” he said.

Katz said that under directives from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and instructions he has issued to the military, the IDF has been authorized to employ whatever measures are required to eliminate locations being used to launch the balloons and kites.

Those measures, he said, could include ordering civilians to leave a neighborhood or other area being used as a base for the launches before Israeli forces take action there.

“The IDF will use all necessary means, including evacuating the population from an area or neighborhood from which launches are carried out, in order to deal with the centers of terrorism,” the Defense Minister said.

Katz stressed that Israel has no intention of returning to the security reality that existed along the Gaza border before the October 7 attacks, when incendiary balloons, kites and other forms of harassment were repeatedly directed at southern Israeli communities.

“We will not allow Hamas or any other element to return to the methods of harassment and threats against the communities of the south as occurred before October 7, and anyone who does so will pay a heavy price.”

{Matzav.com}

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Agudath Israel of America is pleased to welcome the Orthodox Union’s appointment of Rabbi Shmuel Silber as its new Executive Vice President.

The OU has played, and continues to play, a major role in the development of Orthodox Jewish life in the United States and abroad. Jews from all backgrounds have a stake in a strong OU, and in a strong OU leadership. The tragic passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer of blessed memory nearly a year ago was a painful blow felt not only by the organization he led, but by the entirety of Klal Yisroel.

And, by the same token, the appointment of Rabbi Shmuel Silber as the OU’s new Executive Vice President is wonderful news not only for the organization he will lead, but for the entirety of Klal Yisroel.

Rabbi Silber enjoys a sterling reputation as the longstanding Rav of the Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Baltimore. He is respected as a talmid chacham, an accomplished scholar with strong inter-personal skills and an innovative intellect.

We at Agudath Israel are confident that these attributes will serve Rabbi Silber well in his new position, and we look forward to working with him and the OU on matters of common concern.

Congratulations, as well, to Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, upon his assumption of an expanded role within the OU as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer.

{Matzav.com}