Anti-tunnel barrier along the Gaza–Israel border

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The anti-tunnel barrier along the Gaza–Israel border (sometimes referred to as the smart wall on the Israel–Gaza border)[1][2][3] is an underground slurry wall constructed by Israel along the entire 40-kilometer (25 mi) length of the Gaza–Israel border to prevent anti-Israel militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, especially Hamas (which Israel, along with other countries, regards as a terrorist group), from infiltration into Israel by digging tunnels under the Gaza–Israel barrier. The project includes excavation to classified depths, and the construction of thick concrete walls combined with sensors and alarm devices.[4]

The underground anti-tunnel barrier, and 81% of the barrier above the ground, was completed in March 2021.[5] The whole project was completed in December 2021.[6][7] The project had been estimated to cost 3 billion shekels ($833 million)[8] to 3.5 billion shekels ($1.11 billion).[9][10] It is located entirely on Israeli land.

Background

Because of the effectiveness of the Israel–Gaza barrier in stopping infiltration of Israel by Palestinian militants, Hamas adopted a strategy of digging tunnels under the barrier. On 25 June 2006, Palestinians used an 800-metre tunnel dug over a period of months to infiltrate Israel. They attacked a patrolling Israeli armored unit, killed two Israeli soldiers, and captured another one, Gilad Shalit.[11]

Between January and October 2013, three other tunnels were identified – two of which were packed with explosives.[12]

During the 2014 Gaza War, Israel encountered Hamas militants who emerged from tunnels into Israel and attacked soldiers along the border. After the war, Israel located and destroyed 32 tunnels. In 2018, Israel destroyed three new tunnels.[13]

Underground barrier

The anti-tunnel barrier was constructed in response to the large number of tunnels being dug by Hamas, which could only be of use for infiltration by militants. In mid-2017, Israel began construction of the underground wall several metres in depth.[14] The barrier is equipped with sensors that can detect tunnel construction.[15]

In October 2020, sensors in the underground structure identified a Hamas tunnel. An Israeli military official called the tunnel "The most significant tunnel we have seen to date, both in terms of depth and infrastructure".[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "מעקב וואלה! News: צה"ל מאיץ את בניית הקיר החכם בגבול עזה - וואלה! חדשות". 21 June 2017.
  2. ^ "מנופים ומקדחים: מתרחבות העבודות לבניית "הקיר החכם" בגבול עזה - וואלה! חדשות". 10 May 2017.
  3. ^ "מעקב וואלה! News: צה"ל מאיץ את בניית הקיר החכם בגבול עזה - וואלה! חדשות". 21 June 2017.
  4. ^ חדשות 2, רוני דניאל (12 May 2017). "הפתרון לאיום המנהרות של חמאס נבנה ב-3 מיליארד שקל?". Globes.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ IDF completes underground anti-tunnel barrier surrounding Gaza
  6. ^ "הסוף לאיום המנהרות: המכשול התת קרקעי בגבול עזה הושלם סופית לפני כשבוע".
  7. ^ "I24NEWS". 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ Israeli Army Reveals Massive Barrier Being Built to Stop Hamas' Gaza Terror Tunnels
  9. ^ Israel Completes Vast, Billion-dollar Gaza Barrier
  10. ^ Israel Completes Vast, Billion-dollar Gaza Barrier (Archive)
  11. ^ "Palestinian Militants Attack Border". CBS News. 2006-06-25.
  12. ^ Fiske, Gavriel and Ginsburg. (13 October 2013). "IDF blames Hamas for ‘terror tunnel’ from Gaza to Israel Defense minister halts transfer of construction supplies to the Strip after 500 tons of cement used to construct underground passage"
  13. ^ "Israel Speeds Up Underground Border Wall To Block Gaza Tunnels". NPR. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29.
  14. ^ "Israel Speeds Up Underground Border Wall To Block Gaza Tunnels". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  15. ^ Sanchez, Raf (2018). "Israel unveils plans for 40-mile underground wall around Gaza". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  16. ^ Caspit, Ben (2020-10-23). "Israeli technology exposes Gaza attack tunnel, challenges Hamas". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2020-10-26.

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