Israel to Build Underground Wall around Gaza Strip

July 20, 2016

Israel’s defense establishment’s plan to build a concrete wall tens of meters underground as well as aboveground along the Gaza Strip border was revealed by Yedioth Ahronoth.

It has previously been estimated that such a project would cost tens of billions of shekels. However, under the new plan the construction costs are estimated to reach NIS 2.2 billion.

The wall will stretch along the 60 miles [97 km] of the southern border around the Gaza Strip, and will in fact be the third defense system of its kind Israel has built along the border.

The first 60-kilometer [37 mi] barrier was constructed in 1994 following the Oslo accords while the second system was built following the decision to disengage from Gaza in 2005. Neither of the efforts, however, provided comprehensive solutions to the threat of attack tunnels.

A senior Defense Ministry official announced at a press briefing that the next confrontation with Hamas would be the last one. The question of how this announcement is consistent with a plan to build a wall, which is essentially a defensive program, is open to interpretation.

“We have no desire to rule over Gaza, and as long as there is no alternative government there, we have no business being there,” said the senior official. “But on the other hand we cannot conduct a constant war of attrition. Therefore, the next conflict has to be the last conflict in terms of Hamas ruling the Strip. We are not looking for an adventure, but a confrontation with Hamas is inevitable. It is an ongoing and growing threat and we need to be prepared for it.”

 

Source: Excerpt from article by Nahum Barnea, Ynetnews

Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit