Israel is set to begin the long-promised construction of a new border fence along its frontier with Jordan this June, a project expected to take three years to complete. The Times of Israel reported that the initiative aims to enhance national security and curb the flow of weapons and drugs into the country.

The new fence will span from Hamat Gader, at the southern edge of the Golan Heights, to Ramon International Airport, located north of Eilat. A 30-kilometer (18-mile) segment of the border between Eilat and Ramon Airport was previously upgraded in the 2010s, adopting a design similar to Israel’s existing security barriers along the Egyptian border and the Gaza Strip.

The construction project is estimated to cost NIS 5.2 billion ($1.4 billion) and will be strategically positioned as close as possible to the actual border with Jordan, while taking into account security and topographical considerations. The current border fence leaves approximately 170 square kilometers of land between it and the official boundary.

Beyond the security barrier, Israel has outlined plans to develop new towns along the border, potentially strengthening its presence in the region.

The existing security infrastructure along parts of the Jordanian border consists of an aging chain-link fence equipped with sensors, while other stretches are protected only by barbed wire. The border’s current vulnerabilities have facilitated frequent smuggling operations involving firearms and narcotics.

According to security officials, tens of thousands of weapons have likely crossed into Israel from Jordan over the past decade, contributing to a rise in violence within Israel’s Arab communities and being utilized in attacks by Palestinian terrorists.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)