The IDF said there is no threat to the public following the discovery of a cut in the fence surrounding Kibbutz Zikim near the Gaza border, Israeli media reported on Saturday morning.
Earlier on Saturday, Army Radio cited security sources as saying that there was no indication of an infiltration from Gaza.
The community's security chief alerted the IDF to the cut in the fence, with the military then conducting searches for suspects.
At this point, it is not possible to determine when the cut was made, according to Army Radio.
Later on Saturday, investigations determined the likely culprit to be copper thieves, according ot a Maariv report.
The report noted that the thieves targeted a copper drum at an electric work site, which they attached to a vehicle and attempted to drag it out of the kibbutz before being stopped by security forces. The thieves fled the scene.
'Mom, I don't want to die'
Residents of the kibbutz entered the protected areas following the incident, with one resident telling Walla: "The children were shaking and crying. At one point, the nightmare of the October 7 attacks returned. One of my children said, 'Mom, I don't want to die. Make sure they don't come again.'"
Following the cut's discovery, Kibbutz Zikim informed residents that military forces and security teams would conduct searches through the streets, according to Walla.
"All residents are asked to continue to stay indoors," Kibbutz Zikim said at the time. "It should be noted that at this stage, no hostile elements have been located throughout the settlement, and the circumstances of the breach are being investigated."