Common kestrel sent from Gaza used for incendiary terrorism 17 July 2018
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Common kestrel sent from Gaza used for incendiary terrorism

  • 7/17/2018
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    Approximately 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres) of nature reserve and national park land close to the Gaza Strip have been burnt thus far. The common kestrel is a small raptor that is found throughout Israel.
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    Remains of the common kestrel found after putting out the fire at Habesor National Park. Remains of the common kestrel found after putting out the fire at Habesor National Park. Copyright: INPA/Gilad Gabai
     
     
    ​(Communicated by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
     
    A common kestrel, whose legs were tied to a wire with flammable material at the other end, was found hanging in a tree yesterday afternoon (Monday, 16 July 2018), by Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) personnel, west of Besor stream, near the Gaza Strip.

    A check carried out on site revealed that the kestrel wore a harness that was linked to a steel wire at the other end of which was flammable material. INPA inspectors found the kestrel after putting out a fire that had broken out in Habesor National Park. This exceptional event marks the first time that an animal has been used to ignite fires.
     
    The INPA is considering the possibility of filing a complaint – under the appropriate international treaties – over the use of an animal for terrorism.
     
    Approximately 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres) of nature reserve and national park land close to the Gaza Strip have been burnt thus far. The common kestrel is a small raptor that is found throughout Israel, mainly along the Mediterranean Sea and less in desert areas. The population in Israel is in a good situation and measures in many thousands. In the 1960s the common kestrel was in danger of extinction due to initiated poisonings.