A suspected terrorist infiltration alert was activated Saturday morning in the West Bank settlement of Ofarim after the driver of a stolen vehicle broke through a checkpoint during a police chase and then fled. IDF troops opened fire at the fleeing suspect, who was later apprehended.
“The IDF is maintaining ongoing contact with residents and security officials in the area,” the military said.
IDF troops in the West Bank; archive photo
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Overnight, IDF troops conducted searches around Kibbutz Zikim near the Gaza border after the community’s security coordinator reported a cut in the perimeter fence. The military said during the night that no suspects had been found and that it was not possible to determine when the fence had been cut.
Troops continued searching the area to rule out any unusual incident. Surveillance footage was also reviewed, and the military said it had no indication that anyone had crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel.
Nearly two hours later, residents were told they could return to their routines. The IDF later said the searches had been completed and the incident was over.
“There is no concern of a security incident,” the military said.
On Thursday morning, Home Front Command alerts warning of a suspected terrorist infiltration were activated in the West Bank settlements of Tel Zion and Kochav Yaakov. Less than an hour later, the incident was declared over.
The IDF said two suspicious Israeli vehicles had entered Kochav Yaakov and that there was no concern of a security incident.