Defense Ministry launches construction of underwater barrier to prevent infiltrations from Gaza

The Defense Ministry announces the launch of construction of an underwater barrier along the Gaza Strip border designed to prevent maritime infiltrations from terror groups in the coastal enclave.

The idea for the sea barrier arose after an attempted infiltration by Hamas operatives during the 2014 Gaza war. The assailants managed to swim onto Israeli shores north of the strip before they were targeted by an airstrike.

The project is expected to take a year to complete.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman says the barrier foils an additional strategic capability of Hamas to attack Israelis. “We will continue to defend Israeli citizens with strength and sophistication.”

היום התחלנו בהקמת מכשול ימי יחיד מסוגו בעולם, שיחסום את האפשרות לחדור מעזה לישראל דרך הים. זה סיכול נוסף לחמאס שיאבד עוד יכולת אסטרטגית, שבפיתוחה השקיע סכומי עתק. נמשיך להגן על אזרחי ישראל בעוצמה ובתחכום. pic.twitter.com/XXA0Z7hQl0

— אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) May 27, 2018