Incendiary kite explained

An Incendiary kite[1] (also Firebomb kite,[2] flaming kite,[3] Fire Kite[4]) is a kite with a bomb, incendiary device, or Molotov cocktail attached.

Historical use

Kites were first used in warfare by the Chinese.[5] [6] During the Song dynasty the Fire Crow, a kite carrying incendiary powder, a fuse and a burning stick of incense, was developed as a weapon.[7] Walter de Milemete's 1326 De nobilitatibus, sapientiis, et prudentiis regum treatise depicts a group of knights flying a kite laden with a black-powder-filled firebomb over the wall of a city.[8] According to Samguk Sagi, in 647 Kim Yu-sin, a Korean general of Silla, rallied his troops to defeat rebels by using flaming kites which also scared the enemy.[9] In the 17th century, the forces of Thai king Phetracha tied gunpowder barrels to kites used for airborne assault.[6]

Gaza Strip use

See main article: Palestinian airborne arson attacks.

See also: agro-terrorism. During the 2018 Gaza border protests Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have flown fire bomb kites over the Israel–Gaza barrier, setting fires on the Israeli side of the border,[10] [11] [12] [13] Since the beginning of May 2018,[14] longer range helium filled incendiary balloons, devised from party balloons and condoms, have been used alongside the kites.[15] [16] [17] In one instance, a falcon outfitted with a harness with flaming material at the end was utilized as well.[18]

As of 10 July 2018, incendiary kites and balloons have started 678 fires in Israel, destroying 2260acres of woodland and 1500acres of agricultural fields as well as causing additional damage to open fields.[19]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5249207,00.html Incendiary kite from Gaza causes massive fire in Be'eri Forest
  2. https://www.timesofisrael.com/army-warns-gazans-against-flying-firebomb-kites-into-israel/ Army warns Gazans against flying firebomb kites into Israel
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-flaming-kites-protest.html Flaming Kites From Gaza Thwarted by Winds
  4. Web site: In worst blaze to date, Gaza fire kites destroy vast parts of nature reserve. .
  5. https://books.google.com/books?id=jFMQBAAAQBAJ&dq=kite+gunpowder&pg=PP7 Military Aircraft, Origins to 1918: An Illustrated History of Their Impact
  6. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-the-strange-and-violent-history-of-kites-1.6221346 The Strange and Violent History of Kites
  7. https://books.google.com/books?id=lvLUAAAAMAAJ&q=incendiary+kite China Reconstructs, Volume 33
  8. https://books.google.com/books?id=YRqV_PayIKIC&q=kite&pg=PA10 Taking Flight: Inventing the Aerial Age, from Antiquity Through the First World War
  9. https://books.google.com/books?id=XJGZAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Kim+Yu-sin%22+kite History of Science in Korea
  10. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/gazans-fly-firebomb-laden-kites-into-israel-setting-several-blazes-1.6007090 Gazans Fly Firebombs Tied to Kites Into Israel, Sparking Several Blazes
  11. https://www.jns.org/gazans-use-kites-to-set-fire-to-fields-forests-in-israel/ Gazans use kites to set fire to fields, forests in Israel
  12. https://www.timesofisrael.com/flaming-kite-from-gaza-sets-israeli-warehouse-ablaze/ Flaming kite from Gaza sets Israeli warehouse ablaze
  13. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5240207,00.html Continuing kite threat puts Israeli farmers on edge
  14. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5254868,00.html Kite terror continues to strike Gaza border communities
  15. https://www.timesofisrael.com/beyond-kites-fire-balloons-increasingly-used-to-set-southern-israel-ablaze/ Beyond kites: ‘Fire balloons’ increasingly used to set southern Israel ablaze
  16. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians/israel-announces-gaza-trade-fishing-crackdown-in-anti-hamas-move-idUSKBN1JZ1G2?il=0 Israel announces Gaza sanctions in response to cross-border blazes
  17. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44544169 Gaza rocket barrage triggers Israeli air strikes
  18. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-17/gaza-s-latest-weapon-arson-bird-found-near-border-with-israel Gaza’s Latest Weapon? Arson Bird Found Near Border With Israel
  19. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5307517,00.html Kite, balloon terrorism continues scorching Israel's land

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