Israel’s Border Security Upgrade: Anti-Tunnel Wall on Gaza-Egypt Border
The Israeli government has announced plans to begin construction on a wall aimed at preventing tunnel construction following the recent attacks on the Gaza Strip. According to reports from Israeli Army Radio, the decision to move forward with the wall’s construction came after discussions with Egyptian officials.
An unnamed Israeli official stated that plans to meet with the Egyptian government for the construction of the wall are underway, with hopes that Cairo will understand the security necessity of the wall. However, the Egyptian government has repeatedly claimed that there are no tunnels in the region between Sinai and the Gaza Strip.
Despite these claims, the Israeli administration remains concerned about the existence of underground tunnels opening to Egypt in the east of the region, particularly in the “Salahaddin Axis”. This area has been the target of intense air attacks on houses in the city of Rafah, with Israeli forces claiming that these attacks were aimed at Hamas elements using tunnels allegedly existing under the “Salahaddin Axis”.
The “Salahaddin Axis” refers to the 14-kilometer buffer zone between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, running parallel to the Kerem Abu Salim Border Gate from the Mediterranean coast. The Israeli government’s decision to move forward with the wall’s construction reflects their commitment to addressing security concerns in the region.
