Construction work for coastal barrier
Construction work for coastal barrierDefense Ministry

Israel's Defense Ministry began work on a barrier along the Israeli coastline close to the Gaza border on Sunday, as part of continuing efforts to prevent terrorist infiltrations into Israel from the Hamas-ruled enclave.

The Defense Ministry ordered the construction of a coastal barrier on Israel's coastline near the Gaza Strip following the 2014 conflict with Hamas, code-named Operation Protective Edge. During the summer of 2014, a terrorist cell based in Gaza managed to infiltrate into Israel via the coast.

This new coastal barrier was made to withstand intense weather and sea conditions, and is expected to remain in place for years.

A Defense Ministry official, Erez Cohen, announced that work on this coastal barrier will be completed by the end of the year.

The breakwater barrier will consist of three layers: a layer below the sea-level, above that a layer of reinforcement stone, and a layer of concertina wire on top. In addition, another fence will surround the area.

According to Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, “No other barrier like this exists in the world today, with which will block Gaza infiltrators from entering into Israel via the water. This is another way that Hamas will lose strength. We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel.”