Updated

Israel's government has instructed its military to expel Palestinians from areas of the Gaza Strip where kites and balloons flown by children drift toward the Israeli border, with Defence Minister Israel Katz vowing a 'severe response' to the practice. The policy threat comes amid otherwise fragile ceasefire conditions in Gaza. The move has drawn criticism as a disproportionate response to children's activities and risks further displacing Palestinian families already affected by the war's destruction and ongoing blockade.