Palestinian airborne arson attacks

[3][4] Since the beginning of the border riots, Palestinians have increasingly utilized incendiary kites, a primitive and inexpensive weapon that has managed to evade detection by IDF surveillance.

[10] Since May 7, 2018, there has been an increasing use of a simpler method: incendiary balloons carrying pre-lit Molotov cocktails, launched from the Gaza Strip in addition to the kites.

When the Molotov cocktail ignites, the balloons explode in midair, with burning material falling down, causing fires in seven different locations.

[11] On May 11, the IDF deployed new, small remote-controlled drones equipped with knives on their wings to combat incendiary kites by cutting their guide lines.

[26] In July 2021 Israel has reduced the fishing zone off Gaza by half, from 12 nautical miles to 6, in response to incendiary balloons launched into the Eshkol Regional Council area.

[11] In February 2020, the Light Blade (Lahav or), a new laser weapon system was deployed as an operational experiment to the Gaza border against kites and balloons.

[28] A member of the Sons of Zouari group, responsible for many arson attacks, said in an interview: "We, as Palestinians, do not recognize these fields as belonging to the enemy.

Reportedly, both larger animals such as foxes, porcupines, and jackals, as well as smaller creatures like rodents, snakes, and insects, have been killed in significant numbers.

[31] In addition to the smoke produced by the arsons, the burning of tires during the protests has led to the release of toxic chemicals into the air.