Israel Temporarily Stops Gaza Wall Construction

Gaza, 18 Muharram 1438/19 October 2016 (MINA) – Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided to temporarily stop the construction of Gaza concrete wall due to its heavy cost, Israeli media sources revealed.

Walla Hebrew website said that the project initial assessment has shown that it would cost exorbitant amounts, pushing the Israeli authorities to re-tender the project with the aim of reducing the costs.

Israel has earlier declared intention to start the construction of a giant concrete wall that will completely encircle the Gaza Strip, which is already grappling with a devastating siege, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reported.

According to Israeli media sources, the wall “will reach several stories underground, and will also be several stories above ground.”

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It will stretch along the 96-kilometer (60 mile) border around the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and is estimated to cost about two billion Israeli shekels (USD 531 million).

Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eizenkot said it was the “largest project” ever carried out in the history of the army.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.

Israel has also waged three wars on Gaza since 2008, including the 2014 offensive, which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead and over 11,100 others injured. (T/P008/R07)

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Mi’raj Islamic News A gency (MINA)