The IDF's Operation Breakwater, which has been under way for some months to quash a recent uptick in terrorist activity by both Palestinians and Arab Israelis, is expanding to the arid landscape of the Judean Desert.
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In April, work began to build an obstacle barrier, similar to what the IDF Engineering Corps has constructed on the border with the Gaza Strip, that will foil Palestinian attempts to enter Israel and thereby cut down on potential terrorist activity.
The IDF's top combat engineering commander, Brig. Gen. Ido Mizrahi, and engineering commander in the Central Command, Col. Ido Journo, are overseeing the project. Some 60 engineering vehicles are carrying out the work.
As of July 21, a trench of approximately five kilometers (3.1 miles) had been dug.
The IDF is coordinating the project with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
While the barrier is under construction, a dedicated brigade-level command center comprising two battalions has been set up nearby. In the past few weeks, documents delivered to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi have shown that attempts to infiltrate Israel from Judea and Samaria have dropped in the past few weeks.
"A few months ago, a wave of terrorism began in Israel. We jumped on it and launched Operation Breakwater. With all the branches of the IDF working together, including intelligence, technology, the Judea Samaria Brigade, and the Central Command, we made the goal of defending the country's residents and thwarting terrorism the IDF's top priority," Kochavi said.
The IDF chief said that the obstacle on the Judean Desert border would be a clear example of Israel's developing capabilities.
"By building it, we avoid terrorist attacks. However, every day and night fugitives are apprehended in arrest raids. By each arrest, we avoid terrorist attacks. Our goal is zero attacks, and we will continue to do everything we can to stop this wave of terrorism," Kochavi added.
Kochavi expressed his thanks to the soldiers serving in the area, as well as reservists deployed there.
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