Defese Ministry to begin building electronic fence aimed at preventing infiltration of Israel-Egypt border, after tens of thousands of African refugees have infiltrated Israeli territory lately.

Published: 11.21.10

The construction of a security fence along the Israeli-Egyptian border will begin on Monday, following long months filled with delays and mutual accusations between government offices.

Tractors and engineering equipment are planned to arrive on location where work will begin to build an electronic barrier alongside the breached border, from which tens of thousands of African and refugee have infiltrated Israeli territory lately.



The Defense Ministry is in charge of building the fence, in accordance to the governmental decision made last March. The Derech Acheret management was responsible for advertizing the bid for the electronic barrier.

The fence is expected to be 150 km long and will be hooked to surveillance cameras and other technological equipment intended to help monitor the area. According to estimates, the project should be completed within a couple of years.



The budget for this project is currently NIS 1.35 billion (nearly $37 million).



Defense Minister Ehud Barak called the fence "a national task". "The Defense Ministry, known for its high capabilities as an operational institute, has been recruited to this mission and will carry it out. Just as it should be," he said.




Defense Ministry Director-General Ehud Shani insisted that "The building – beginning only a few months after the governmental decision – was made possible due to quick planning and bidding. The Defense Ministry will work towards shortening the timetables for completing the fence."



http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3987888,00.html


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