Cut found in Zikim fence near Gaza IDF launches searches, says no crossing detected

IDF forces were conducting searches around Kibbutz Zikim near the Gaza border early Saturday after the community’s security chief reported a cut discovered in the kibbutz perimeter fence. “At this stage, no suspects have been located in the area, and it is not possible to determine when the cut was made,” the IDF said. The military said troops were continuing searches to rule out any unusual incident. Surveillance footage and other observation systems were also reviewed, and according to the IDF, there is currently “no known crossing” from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. The unusual incident comes amid efforts to advance arrangements in the Gaza arena, after the “Board of Peace” published a “road map” for implementing the agreement with Hamas, which is intended to lead to the terrorist group’s disarmament. Earlier this week, IDF forces operating in Gaza received new instructions under which they may carry out strikes only to remove immediate threats, while targeted killings require approval from the IDF chief of staff and the political echelon.