Barak: 43-mile fence to be built at Egyptian border

Defense Minister Ehud Barak toured the border with Egypt Tuesday and promised to further construction of a 70- kilometer-long (43 miles) fence stretching from Beerotayim northward all the way to the Rafah border crossing. Barak noted that building the fence might take roughly two years. Following his tour, Barak paid a visit to Yossi Haimov, the nine-year-old boy injured by a Qassam rocket attack on Sderot Monday. Haimov still remains hospitalized at the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Barak toured the Egyptian border along with Southern Command Chief Yoav Galant and deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, and stated that “in the past weeks Israel has made some major strides in its fight against terror, but there are still numerous attempts to smuggle arms and explosives along the Egyptian border, and the Israeli Defense Forces continue to work hard to thwart such attempts.” Video courtesy Infolive.tv The defense minister also noted that “IDF operations along the Egyptian border are instrumental not only in combating terror but also in preventing criminal activity as well as illegal immigration and infiltrations into Israel. "Shin Bet and Intelligence Corps operatives work tirelessly even in the fog and the cold to ensure that the border remains secure,” he said. When asked what Israel can do until construction of the fence is completed, Barak replied that the “IDF is looking to work jointly with homeland security personnel to stop illegal immigration and infiltration into Israel, and to prosecute those that aid, abet, or employ such illegal immigrants. The Israeli Foreign Ministry will likewise look into sending refuges entering Israel through Egypt back to their country of origin. The fence's construction will be founded on the "Hourglass" plan, which has been drafted by former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. The plan entails the construction of a ground barrier in areas that are particularly sensitive to infiltrations from Egypt – namely the Nitzana and Eilat regions. The plan also calls for the reinforcement of air and ground monitoring devices in those areas, and for boosting police and Border Guard forces that operate there.

Barak: 43-mile fence to be built at Egyptian border

Defense minister tours Egypt border, guarantees construction of fence stretching from Beerotayim to the Rafah border crossing preventing infiltrations, smuggling