Israel building overground fence around Gaza Strip

Monitoring Desk

TEL AVIV: Israel has begun to construct a new “barrier” along the border with the Gaza Strip in order to prevent illegal crossings of Palestinian militants, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday at a Cabinet meeting.

“Over the weekend we began building the above-ground barrier along the Gaza border. The barrier will prevent terrorists from Gaza from penetrating into our territory on the ground. I would also like to make it clear: if the quiet is not maintained in Gaza, we will make the decisions even in the elections period and will not hesitate to act,” Netanyahu said, as quoted in the statement of his press service.

Also, the Israeli Defense Ministry on Sunday announced it has begun building the overground part of barrier around the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The Defense Ministry, in a statement said, the construction started on Thursday.

“The barrier will be 65 kilometers long and will be six-meter-high, along the border from Kerem Shalom in the south and will be connected to the new sea barrier Israel is building,” it added.

Earlier this year, Israel had announced that the naval barrier meant to stave off sea infiltration is nearing completion, seven months after construction began.

According to the ministry, the overground barrier is part of Israel’s underground smart fence to detect tunnels.

“The border is uniquely and especially suited to threats from the Gaza Strip and will give a comprehensive solution to prevent entry into Israel,” it said.