Hamas Uses Kite Campaign as Psychological Warfare Against Israel, Expert Warns

Dr. Ron Schleifer, a psychological warfare expert, identifies the kite launches from Gaza as a deliberate and systematic Hamas strategy to habituate Israel to ongoing threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the kite threat seriously, a stance Schleifer supports, noting that Israeli intelligence previously downplayed such tactics as minor nuisances. Schleifer explains that Hamas, unable to use conventional weapons due to its current disadvantages, employs psychological warfare to sow doubt within Israel about whether and how to respond, effectively controlling the initiative through a gradual habituation process.

The tactic begins with children flying kites across the border, exploiting Israel's moral restraint against harming minors. This forces Israeli forces to refrain from action, allowing Hamas to incrementally push boundaries. Schleifer warns that the campaign will escalate, with kites potentially carrying incendiary devices or messages in Hebrew and English, increasing the threat to Israeli fields and communities. He draws parallels to previous balloon attacks in 2018, which escalated similarly.

Hamas's use of children as both shields and participants in attacks is a known tactic to Israel and is increasingly recognized in Europe. Schleifer cites examples where Israeli commanders have been forced to withhold fire to avoid harming children, causing psychological strain on soldiers. To counter this, Schleifer suggests banning children from crossing the border line, not through shooting but through strict enforcement, combined with an aggressive international campaign exposing Hamas's exploitation of children. He recommends appealing to UN agencies and Western child rights organizations to pressure Hamas and prevent global sympathy for their tactics.

Additionally, Schleifer advises cautious use of non-lethal crowd control measures, avoiding tear gas due to its negative international perception, while hinting at other less visible means to disperse protests. The overall goal is to undermine Hamas's psychological warfare without playing into their narrative or causing international backlash.