After more than three years of construction, Israel completes smart border barrier around Gaza Strip

December 8, 2021 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
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Israel officially completed the construction of the “smart” barrier fence around the Gaza Strip, its defence line from attacks by terror groups above ground and terror tunnels running into the country below ground.

The 65 km long barrier includes an underground concrete component with sensors, an above-ground fence, a naval barrier to prevent incursions from the sea, radar systems, and command and control rooms to prevent infiltrations from the Gaza strip into Israeli territory.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz stated during a special inauguration ceremony on Tuesday that “the barrier, which is an innovative and technologically advanced project, deprives Hamas of one of the capabilities it tried to develop and places an ‘iron wall’, sensors and concrete between the terror organization and the residents of Israel’s south.”

“This barrier will provide Israeli citizens a sense of security and will enable this beautiful region to continue developing and flourishing,” he added.

“Routine life here [in southern Israel] is our victory, and it is the greatest threat to terrorist organizations. We will continue to maintain our readiness to thwart any attempt to harm Israeli citizens, with an emphasis on rocket attacks from Gaza. We will also prevent the transfer of Iranian know-how and technology to Gaza, and will continue thwarting any attempt by Hamas to operate its affiliates in Judea and Samaria or anywhere in Israel. Their attempts have failed time and again,” he declared.

The defense barrier is comprised of five elements that complement each other, including an underground barrier with sensors to detect digging of tunnels, a “smart” fence over 6 meters high, a maritime barrier that includes means to detect infiltrations at sea and a weapon system that is controlled remotely, an array of radars and cameras, and command and control rooms.

More than 1,200 workers were involved in the barrier’s construction, six concrete plants were established along the border with the Gaza Strip to provide the required materials, about 220,000 trucks of concrete were used, and some 140,000 tons of iron and steel were invested in the construction of the barrier.

Check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX5XXoZN_ak

The project, which was initiated and promoted by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was planned and built jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the IDF.

He was not invited to the ceremony.

Netanyahu celebrated that “historic day.” He recalled that in June 2016, five years ago, he brought a decision to the Cabinet to build an underground wall around the Gaza Strip.

“This decision had great opposition, as there was similar opposition to the construction of the fence they initiated on our southern border [with Egypt], which stopped the flooding of Israel with infiltrators. We insisted, we did not give up – and the project got underway. Today it was officially inaugurated,” he noted.

He further pointed out that the underground barrier has already saved many lives. During its construction, the IDF exposed and demolished several Hamas-built terror tunnels infiltrating into Israel.

The barrier includes five elements that complement each other

1. Underground barrier with sensors
2. A “smart” fence (over 6 meters high)
3. A maritime barrier that includes means to detect infiltrations at sea and a weapon system that is controlled remotely
4. An array of radars and cameras
5. Command and control rooms

About the barrier:

• The length of the barrier is about 65 km. Its construction lasted about 3.5 years.
• More than 1,200 workers were involved in its construction
• 6 concrete plants were established along the border with the Gaza Strip.
• About 220,000 trucks of concrete were used
• 140,000 tons of iron and steel were invested in the construction of the barrier
• The barrier includes hundreds of cameras, radars and other sensors

The barrier was planned and built jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the IDF.

Comments

2 Responses to “After more than three years of construction, Israel completes smart border barrier around Gaza Strip”
  1. questionit21 says:

    With Israel’s Iron Wall that is a smart fence how did Hamas was able to penetrate it with out being detected on October the 7th. Surely all those 5 element’s as you have stated in your article could not all of malfunctioned?

  2. Liat Kirby says:

    What an extraordinary construction for all that it comprises.

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