While contacts aimed at arranging a prolonged lull between Israel and Hamas are continuing, the border administration in the Ministry of Defense today unveiled initial pictures of the new sea barrier on the border with the Gaza Strip currently under construction on the Zikim Beach. The barrier is 50 meters wide with a six-meter high fence on it.
Additional instruments will later be added to the barrier to provide full coverage against penetrations into Israeli territory from the sea. Construction of the barrier began two months ago. It is believed that work on it will be completed by the end of the year. Engineering sources said that construction of the barrier would cost NIS 20-25 million.
Border Administration head Brig. Gen. Eran Ophir said, "The barrier is a kind of impenetrable breakwater composed of three layers: an underwater layer, a layer composed of reinforced stone, and a third layer of barbed wire fence. In addition to these layers, another fence will be built surrounding the area that will provide a response to the security threat."
Commenting on the progress of the plan, Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman said, "Work on building the land and sea barrier around the Gaza Strip is progressing rapidly and impressively. Every day that passes, our preventative capabilities around the Gaza Strip are growing stronger."
In addition to work on building the sea barrier, work on the underground barrier surrounding the Gaza Strip designed to prevent the digging of attack tunnels leading to Israel is continuing, in addition to deployment of a technological system warning of the presence of tunnels. The system was developed by the defense industries and the Ministry of Defense.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 5, 2018
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