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Israel begins building underground Gaza barrier to combat tunnels
Israel has started construction of a huge barrier along the border with the Gaza Strip, which is designed to eliminate the threat of cross-border attacks, especially those from underground tunnels.
YNet reports that the barrier will reach several stories below ground and also a number of stories above ground. The underground element will also include technological detection systems to locate subterranean tunnelling. In total, the barrier is expected to extend the entirety of the 37-mile Gaza border at an estimated cost of almost £400m.
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot is quoted describing the barrier as the “largest project” ever undertaken by the IDF. Work has reportedly begun in the Sha’ar Hanegev region, in order to protect a number of communities located there.
The subterranean network of tunnels in Gaza was a major feature of Hamas attacks on Israel during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. They were used to launch assaults on Israeli targets beyond the Gaza border as well as providing protection for the Hamas leadership. Although Israel subsequently destroyed most of the tunnels, Hamas and other terror groups are openly rebuilding this underground capability in preparation for future attacks. In April, Israeli forces uncovered two major tunnels which stretched into Israeli territory.
Ever since the Gaza conflict two years ago, Israel has been searching for a solution to the tunnel threat. The government’s handling of the tunnels both before and during Operation Protective Edge has come into sharp focus in recent months, with the issue expected to be a major part of an upcoming State Comptroller report into the government’s conduct at the time.
During the last month, tensions increased in the Gaza region after a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip at the southern Israeli town of Sderot, prompting Israeli air strikes on dozens of Hamas targets. Over the past few days there have been several incidents of gunfire aimed at Israeli troops on the Gaza border, with Israel returning fire on Hamas positions.