Israel on Tuesday began construction of a 28-mile-long security barrier in the northern West Bank, the Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday.
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The nearly 30-foot-tall security barrier replaces the original one constructed 20 years ago at the height of the Second Intifada and will include a protective wall and additional technology to prevent infiltrations.
It is estimated that some 40,000 labor migrants enter Israel illegally every day, to which Israel has chosen to turn a blind eye; not just because of budgetary reasons, but because these Palestinian labor migrants support their families in the West Bank, improving their economic situation and, theoretically, reducing motivations for terrorist attacks.
The Defense Ministry's Department of Engineering and Construction and the Israel Defense Forces Central Command are coordinating construction efforts.
The barrier begins in the northern West Bank and ends in the Bat Hefer area of the Sharon plain.
"We are continuing our defensive efforts in the north by strengthening the Judea and Samaria security barrier and providing solutions for the Israeli home front," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said.
"These efforts constitute an integral part of our operational activity. Along with this, we will continue to operate against all threats we face in order to maintain the security of Israel's civilians," Gantz said.
In April, Gantz issued a directive to prepare a work plan to build the security barrier at key points along the seam line.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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