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Israel vs. Gaza Airborne Firebombs
(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Of the current threats facing Israel's Gaza Division, the kite and balloon arson ranks third. IDF forces deployed around Gaza are first of all on the lookout for attempts to infiltrate Israeli border communities by tunnel, parachute or a breach in the security fence. Next is addressing the firing of rockets and mortar shells. The army is putting tremendous energy into extinguishing the fires and developing more effective solutions to the problem. Observation and firefighting teams spread out along the border have shortened the response time. Every week, scientists, inventors and industry representatives gather near the border to test out new ideas for intercepting the kites and balloons. The army is keen to find more interception solutions. Terrorist groups are increasingly using drones, a developing threat that requires an answer. Since the air force began shooting deterrent fire at cells launching the incendiary devices, the Palestinians have switched to operating from within densely populated areas. At this point, the helium balloons are doing more damage than the kites. Many are intercepted, with gunfire or by drones, but they are being launched in such volume that they ignite new fires daily.