The IDF says forces responded to a suspected Hamas presence at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. One unarmed suspect was detained, and his identity and affiliation are being investigated. Security forces are reviewing the incident.
The IDF reported that forces were dispatched Wednesday afternoon to the Kerem Shalom crossing on the Gaza border on suspicion of a Hamas operative in the area. One unarmed suspect was detained and transferred to security forces for interrogation. The military said no breach of Israeli territory occurred and that local security officials were notified. The suspect's identity and any militant affiliation remain under investigation.
This is the latest development in a story The Zioneer has been tracking since Wednesday 13:22 Jerusalem, when initial reports said two Hamas operatives had been spotted near the crossing, one of whom was detained while troops searched for a second. By 13:22, the IDF confirmed the captured suspect was unarmed and that no border breach had occurred. Searches for a second suspect were later halted, and the military stated only one militant was captured. The suspect is now described as believed to be a Hamas operative, though the investigation continues.
The Zioneer reported on June 9 that the IDF killed one militant near the Gaza border in a separate incident. On June 5, security forces arrested Palestinian suspects disguised as Jews at the Maccabim crossing. No connection between those events and Wednesday's incident has been indicated by the IDF.
It remains unclear whether the detained suspect has any confirmed Hamas affiliation. The IDF's investigation is ongoing, and no charges or formal identification have been announced.
6 developments
- DevelopingIDF estimates incident near Syria border approaching conclusion
- StrongIDF confirms suspicious aerial target in northern Israel, incident ended without casualties
- StrongIDF special forces ambush Hamas cell inside building, averts major incident in Gaza
- DevelopingIDF kills one militant near Gaza border, searches continue
Source and signal
- Internal intake