Armed Palestinian apprehended in Israeli community on Gaza border

A month after the conclusion of Operation Protective Edge, an armed 18-year-old Palestinian was arrested Sunday after having been chased down by security forces in the Sdot Negev Regional Council near the Gaza border.Earlier in the afternoon, a security alert had been issued in the area when signs of an infiltration from Gaza were recognized at the border fence. A large number of forces were deployed to search the area, leading to the eventual arrest of the Palestinian youth who was armed with a knife.The security officer of Shokeda, a community in the Sdot Negev Regional Council, carried out the arrest. An initial investigation into the incident determined that the Palestinian youth infiltrated from Gaza near Nahal Oz and from there made his way toward Shokeda, just a short distance from the Gaza border fence.The security officer and an Israel Lands Authority employee noticed the suspect east of Shokeda after they had been alerted of the possible security breach. The suspect surrendered, dropping to his knees and raising his hands in submission after realizing he had been identified.The security forces that had been combing the area were called to the scene, whereupon the suspect was searched and the knife, as well as another sharp weapon, were discovered.The suspect was transferred to security forces for interrogation.Noam Amir/Ma'ariv contributed to this report.