Crossing the fence
Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Good fences make good security conditions
The security barrier has plenty of gaps, but Col. Hezi Nechama of the Menashe Brigade tells Ynet that a good quality fence network, like the one in his district, can be effective in preventing infiltrations into Israeli territory from the West Bank.
Unlike the days of the Second Intifada, the Menashe district remains a relative island of calm in the current wave of terrorism. Alongside the fight against terrorists, a significant part of security operations in the area is connected to preventing Palestinians from illegally entering Israel.
Most of them are looking for work inside the Green Line, but the security forces are concerned about would-be terrorists being amongst them. Speaking with Ynet, Menashe Brigade Commander Col. Hezi Nechama said, "Their creativity surprises us, but we try to be ready for any scenario."
In one case, Palestinians came in a pickup truck with a ladder and tried to cross the security barrier into Israel, but an IDF scout spotted them, and they were stopped.
Palestinian scaling fence near to Crossing 300 (צילום: דו"צ)
In a visit with Nechama alongside Crossing 300 in Samaria, which is within his area of command, a Palestinian on a donkey approached the jeep. Nechama greeted him in Arabic, and the Palestinian replied in kind. The brigade commander commented to Ynet, "Do you understand? The reality is complicated, but we're here to maintain as regular a life as possible."
Crossing the security barrier (Photo: IDF Spokesperson, Ido Erez)
But not everything is calm. Terrorists carried out a drive-by shooting in the area in December, firing 23 bullets at an Israeli family in their car in Samaria, wounding Rachel and Shaul Nir. "It was a very significant incident in the district," said Nechama. "Right in the middle of the wave of terrorism, a classic shooting attack like we had seen in the previous intifada. It just sharpened what we already know about this volatile district."
The Nir family car in December (Photo: Ido Erez)
Terrorists have also tried on numerous occasions to injure soldiers, including one time just alongside the fence. "We received warning of a Palestinian who was getting close to the fence; we immediately sent a patrol to search the area," remembered Nechama. "The force identified a stone-throwing suspect; the soldiers got close him, and then another terrorist who was hiding shot at them. The quickly responded with fire and killed the terrorist."
Hezi Nechama (Photo: Ido Erez)
Nechama explained that the fence in his district is well built and ordered and is effective at permitting nearly complete control over those who try to cross it. But things are very different in other locations, principally in the south of the Mt. Hebron District, where the security barrier is perforated in a way that permits effortless crossing. Security officials familiar with illegal crossings have dubbed the crossings in southern Mt. Hebron as "Terminal 4."
There are large gaps in the quality of the barrier in various locations in the West Bank. "If you want hermetic protection and maximum control, you have to improve a lot of points on the fence. In this district, there's proof that a quality fence contributes to the fight against illegal residents," said Nechama.
