Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the border area with Egypt a closed military zone to combat weapons smuggling via drones. In a statement, Katz said, he instructed the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to amend the rules of engagement in the area adjacent to the Israel-Egypt border to address the drone threat, which he described as endangering the country’s security. He added that drone-based weapons smuggling is part of the war in Gaza and is intended to arm Israel’s enemies, and that all necessary measures must be taken to stop it.