More than 45 illegal infiltrators, including women and children, entered Israel on Wednesday evening through a breach in the seam line fence east of Lachish.
This is the most significant infiltration incident in the area since the October 7 attack.
Despite the proximity to towns and despite the defense guidelines, the infiltration was not thwarted by IDF troops, Border Police, or the Israel Police.
According to a report in Ynet, the group was actually detected by members of the community policing unit of the Lachish Regional Council.
Local residents said this represents a serious deterioration in the security situation at the border. One resident warned, "An invasion of the communities is only a matter of time."