|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Israeli security forces launched an extensive search operation overnight Saturday after around 60 Palestinians without entry permits crossed the separation barrier in the Lachish area and entered Israeli territory, authorities said.
Police in the Lachish district initiated the search after Israel Defense Forces personnel deployed in the area were unable to prevent the infiltration. The incident has renewed debate over vulnerabilities along parts of the separation barrier.
Police officials publicly called on the military to address the repeated breaches, stressing that the responsibility for securing the fence lies primarily with the army.
“The army must deal with the problem and resolve the issue of infiltrators entering through the separation fence,” police officials said, reflecting growing frustration over recurring crossings in the region.
The Lachish area has seen similar incidents in recent weeks. Just last week, during a joint operation by the police and the IDF, approximately 60 Palestinians without permits were intercepted while attempting to cross the same section of the barrier.
Security officials say the repeated attempts indicate organized knowledge of weak points along the fence, coupled with reduced troop availability due to broader operational demands.
Police are currently reinforcing the IDF in the area, as the military faces what it describes as an operational burden that limits its ability to deploy sufficient forces along the entire length of the separation barrier.
Stretching hundreds of kilometers, the barrier requires constant patrols, surveillance, and intelligence coordination, tasks that have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
In a statement, the IDF said it is taking a multi-layered approach to preventing infiltration and attacks, emphasizing coordination with other security agencies.
“The IDF is working to thwart terror and infiltration into the country in coordination with the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and other bodies through a range of operational solutions,” the statement said.
It added that forces are optimizing deployments to address evolving threats, particularly in the so-called seam zone, which lies between Israel and the West Bank.
Defense in this area, according to the IDF, includes regular patrols, advanced surveillance systems, ambushes, and extensive intelligence-gathering efforts designed to identify and stop infiltrators before they reach populated areas.
While the majority of those crossing are believed to be laborers seeking work, Israeli authorities consistently warn that uncontrolled entry poses significant security risks.
Officials argue that illegal stays can enable the development of criminal networks or provide cover for hostile activity, including potential terror attacks.
The overnight Lachish infiltration was followed by a separate incident on Sunday morning in central Israel.
Police said officers discovered 21 Palestinians without permits who had stayed overnight at a construction site on Ehud Manor Street in the coastal city of Bat Yam.
The raid was carried out by officers from the local police station, supported by Border Police units and special patrol personnel from the Tel Aviv district.
All 21 individuals were detained and taken in for questioning, police confirmed. Investigators are also examining whether employers or site managers violated laws governing the employment and housing of Palestinian workers.
Police stressed that such enforcement actions are part of a broader effort to prevent illegal residency in both residential and industrial areas across Israel.
According to law enforcement officials, preventing unauthorized stays is seen as a key step in stopping the creation of logistical and infrastructural networks that could facilitate criminal or hostile actions.
The issue of Palestinian laborers has remained sensitive since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, after which permits were widely revoked and many workers were returned to Gaza or the West Bank.
Since then, security forces have reported an increase in attempted crossings, driven by economic hardship and the disruption of legal employment channels.
Israeli authorities say balancing security needs with economic realities remains a complex challenge, particularly as manpower shortages strain both the police and the military.
As searches continued in the Lachish area, officials reiterated that closing gaps along the barrier remains a priority, but acknowledged that persistent attempts underline the ongoing difficulty of securing every section.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members