Gaza peace board demands end to kite flying as ceasefire strains deepen

The US-led Board of Peace, established by President Donald Trump to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, warned Hamas on Tuesday to cease all militant activity, specifically including the flying of kites. The directive was issued following threats from Israel of retaliatory strikes, marking a significant intervention in the ongoing dispute over the interpretation of the truce.

According to a Board of Peace official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the message was conveyed directly to Hamas through established mechanisms. The official stated that "all militant activity in Gaza must stop," explicitly citing kite flying as a violation of the current terms.

In a bid to balance the demands placed on both parties, the board also instructed Israel to respect the ceasefire. The board noted that Israeli military action must be limited to responses against "genuine and imminent threats," suggesting that broader operations may currently exceed the agreed parameters.

The dispute was triggered by a series of kites reportedly found across the border in southern Israel, an event that has revived memories of incendiary devices used in previous conflicts. While it remains unknown whether the latest kites carried explosives, Israeli media reported that at least one bore a political message. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously warned that Israel would step up operations if Hamas launched kites, drones, or balloons.

Hamas has reacted with sharp criticism, with political bureau member Basem Naim describing the warning as an act of "audacity." Naim argued that the board was labelling innocent children’s activities as armed actions to appease Netanyahu. The United Nations also weighed in, with spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani describing the Israeli threats over the kites as "unacceptable" and "outrageous."

The tension comes at a delicate time for the peace process. Since the ceasefire was declared in October 2025, Israel has expanded its presence in Gaza slightly, and Hamas health authorities report that 1,288 Palestinians have been killed. Netanyahu, who faces elections in October, recently rejected the latest stage of the peace plan, demanding that a US general verify Hamas disarmament. In response, the Board of Peace backtracked from an earlier call for a phased Israeli withdrawal, assuring Israel that troops need not leave until Hamas is completely demilitarised.