From Ma'an News Agency 11/01/2010 (updated) 12/01/2010 10:48:
(Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies) – Israel approved on Sunday the construction of a barrier along its border with Egypt, Israeli media reported on Monday.- - -
"I took the decision to close Israel's southern border to infiltrators and terrorists. This is a strategic decision to secure Israel's Jewish and democratic character," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
In recent weeks, the number of African migrants detained by Egypt whilst trying to enter Israel has increased. On Sunday, Egyptian security sources revealed that security forces thwarted two attempts by African migrants to enter Israel through Egypt's Sinai border. Many have been shot dead at the border by Egypt.
"We cannot let tens of thousands of illegal workers infiltrate into Israel through the southern border and inundate our country with illegal aliens,” Netanyahu added.
Israel’s border with Egypt spans approximately 266 kilometers and the new wall is tipped to cost Israel more than 270 million US dollars, taking two years to complete. The new wall will be accompanied by advanced security and monitoring installations.
Egypt’s steel wall
Meanwhile, Egypt began constructing a steel wall along the border that will extend underground in an attempt to cut off a network of smuggling tunnels. The tunnels are a lifeline for Palestinians living under an Israeli-led blockade.
In December, Egyptian government workers constructing the massive metal barrier along the Egypt-Gaza border came under fire from Palestinian gunmen according to Egyptian security sources.
The presence of Gaza’s smuggling tunnels, which were constructed to attempt to ease the ongoing siege, is deemed a focal security concern for both Israel and Egypt.
In part, Israel’s Operation Cast Lead last winter aimed at collapsing and destroying the industry, which the Israeli army has termed “terror tunnels.”
Egyptian authorities regularly report shutting down smuggling efforts which include the transfer of cigarettes, bottled water, and fuel into Gaza.
On Friday, following an airstrike, the Israeli army dropped leaflets across southern and northern Gaza, warning residents to “take responsibility for their future.”
"Terrorists, tunnel owners, and the smugglers of military equipment know for certain that the continuation of terrorist attacks, the smuggling of military equipment, and the digging of tunnels will be targeted by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces], but they continue to work in your residential areas and seek refuge among you," according to the flier, which was written in Arabic.
Israeli airstrikes on the rise in Gaza
Meanwhile, three Palestinians affiliated to the Islamic Jihad movement were killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight in central Gaza. Islamic Jihad leader Khalid Al-Bashta has warned that all signs point to a new Israeli operation in the besieged coastal strip. Israel is seeking international support for such an operation, he claimed.
Netanyahu said in his weekly cabinet meeting that "Last week 20 rockets and mortar rounds were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip. I regard this very seriously.”
“The IDF responded immediately; it attacked missile producing factories in the Gaza Strip and tunnels through which Iran smuggles missiles and rockets into the Strip. The Government's policy is clear: Any firing at our territory will be responded to strongly and immediately.”
Israel orders new fence to keep out African migrants
Photo: A Sudanese refugee family are surrounded by Israeli army soldiers after crossing illegally from Egypt into Israel. Photo credit: ARIEL SCHALIT/AP. Source: The Independent, by Ben Lynfield in Jerusalem Tuesday, 12 January 2010 - Israel orders new fence to keep out African migrants
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