In an unconventional move, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took to the skies over Khan Yunis, a coastal area in the Gaza Strip, to drop cigarettes attached to leaflets bearing anti-Hamas messages, as reported by N12 on Friday.
This unusual tactic is a departure from the IDF's standard practice of using leaflets to warn civilians of impending strikes or to solicit information about Hamas leaders.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the leaflets dropped on Thursday did not contain the usual evacuation requests or calls for information. Instead, they were attached to cigarettes, a commodity that has become a luxury item in the Gaza Strip due to Hamas's control over supply and demand. The leaflets bore messages such as "Smoking is dangerous, but Hamas is more dangerous" and "Hamas is burning Gaza." Alongside these messages, the IDF included a contact number for their 'Influence Department' for further information.
In a further twist, one of the leaflets promised an unspecified gift to any Gazan who collected five of them. This move appears to be a direct challenge to Hamas, which has been accused of exploiting the war to increase prices on essential goods, including cigarettes. The cost of a single cigarette in the Gaza Strip has skyrocketed to $27, with packs selling for a staggering $430, according to N12. This 'tax' has allowed Hamas to fund its operations at the expense of ordinary Gazans.
A security official who spoke to N12 explained that the cigarette drop was designed to send a clear message against Hamas, criticizing its inability to govern effectively. The official stated that the goal was to encourage defiance and condemnation of the terrorist organization and its failure to maintain public order. "It is important to emphasize that cigarettes do not enter the strip and that this is a one-time occurrence," the official added.
The exorbitant prices imposed by Hamas have led to a significant crisis in the Gaza Strip, forcing residents to resort to smuggling and other alternatives to obtain cigarettes. This unusual IDF operation underscores the dire situation in the region, highlighting the extent to which Hamas's actions have impacted the daily lives of Gazans.
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