Israel has begun construction on a taller, larger, bigger above-ground “smart fence” along the Gaza border, to accompany the partially-completed underground barrier which includes advanced sensors and monitoring devices used to detect subterranean terrorist tunnels.
The underground barrier work “will continue in parallel with the work on the fence,” according to the Defense Ministry.
“The barrier is similar to the one on the Egyptian border, but it has significant improvements and includes innovative security elements,” according to the statement from the ministry.
The recently-built security fence along the Egyptian border has dropped the number of infiltrations from the Sinai to zero.
The new above-ground barrier project, carried out by the Defense Ministry’s Engineering and Construction Department and Israel’s Border and Sewage Administration, will be built from galvanized steel. The six-meter-tall barrier will weigh approximately 20,000 tons.
IDF Brig.-Gen. Eran Ophir, head of the military fence construction administration said during the announcement by the Defense Ministry, “The barrier is unique, and especially suited to threats from the Gaza Strip. It will provide a maximum response in preventing entry into Israeli territory.”
The new upgraded security barrier is to stretch some 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the Kerem Shalom Crossing in the south to the recently-completed 200-meter sea barrier near Zikkim beach along Israel’s Mediterranean coast in the north. A six-meter smart fence also surrounds the breakwater at the sea barrier, comprised of three layers to provide extra security.