Fence alert sent forces to Gaza border area — then it turned out who cut the fence

A fence alert at Kibbutz Zikim near midnight sent large forces to the area, including the community's rapid response team and military units. After hours of searches, it turned out the cut in the fence was likely made by copper thieves, who tried to drag a cable drum out of the fence. The forces prevented the dragging, the thieves fled, and the suspicion of a security incident was ruled out.

A fence alert at Kibbutz Zikim, heard at security centers shortly after midnight between Friday and Saturday, led to the deployment of large forces to the area, including the kibbutz's rapid response team and military units. The forces began searching the area and trying to locate tracks, due to the kibbutz's proximity to the border fence with the Gaza Strip and the fear of a security incident. After hours of searches, it turned out that the cut in the fence was likely made by copper thieves, whose target was a cable drum left near an electrical works site. The thieves tried to attach the cable to a vehicle to drag it out, but the approaching forces prevented this and the thieves fled. In the end, a return to routine was declared and the suspicion of a hostile sabotage attack was ruled out.