Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Tuesday that he has secured approval to build a new, high-tech border fence along the Israeli-Jordanian border. The fence, designed to prevent smuggling—particularly from Iran—will incorporate advanced sensors and security technology. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, though no specific timeline has been set.
Katz’s success comes after a prolonged battle, with Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich previously blocking the project. Despite this, Katz, a seasoned political negotiator, overcame the opposition, possibly with the backing of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who may have wanted Katz to secure a quick win after the recent firing of his respected predecessor, Yoav Gallant.
The fence is seen as critical in stopping the smuggling of weapons and materials into the West Bank, which is believed to be orchestrated by Iran. Katz emphasized the urgency of preventing the establishment of an “eastern front” against Israel.
The new barrier will be integrated with intelligence-gathering sensors, and the Ministry of Defense has already begun mapping the terrain and developing the necessary infrastructure. The project is expected to cost tens of millions of shekels, but the exact budget and details on troop deployment remain unclear.
