Strategic Fortress
NIS 5.5 Billion Shield: Israel Begins Construction of 500km "Smart" Barrier to Counter Iran
Israel has launched a major strategic project, beginning construction on a new 500-kilometer "smart" security barrier along its eastern border, designed to drastically curb arms smuggling and counter the growing threat from Iran and its proxies.
Launch of the Strategic Eastern Barrier
Work commenced today, Monday, on a new, extensive security barrier along Israel's eastern border, an initiative championed by Defense Minister Israel Katz. This massive undertaking, managed by the Borders Directorate in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense Engineering Division and the IDF, is designed to enhance national security against both immediate and long-term threats.
The initial phase of the project will focus on crucial valley areas, covering approximately 80 kilometers. Planning for the subsequent segments is already underway, formulating the overall defense layout for the border which stretches from the southern Golan Heights all the way down to the Samar region near Eilat.
Estimated to cost NIS 5.5 billion (approximately $1.5 billion), the barrier will integrate a robust physical fence with cutting-edge technology. It will feature advanced sensor arrays, radars, cameras, and sophisticated IT systems, forming a cohesive “smart” border built to address evolving operational needs.
Security and Settlement as Dual Goals
Defense Minister Katz hailed the project as a major strategic necessity. "From the moment I entered office, establishing the eastern barrier became a central mission," Katz stated. He outlined the barrier’s expected impact, noting that it will strengthen communities along the border, "sharply reduce arms smuggling to terrorists in Judea and Samaria," and fundamentally "strike at Iran and its proxies seeking to build an eastern front."
Furthermore, the Minister instructed that new settlements be established along the fence line, emphasizing the reinforcement of civilian presence as a "strategic component of national security."
Major General (Res.) Amir Baram, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, affirmed that securing Israel’s longest border demands a comprehensive national effort. "Defense begins with a physical barrier and redeployment of forces, but it does not end there," he noted. He detailed plans to create a complete "ecosystem" encompassing settlement, employment, transport, agriculture, and health, collaborating with other government ministries. The initial NIS 50 million to launch the plan has been allocated in the 2026 budget, with operations set to expand as construction progresses.
A 500-Kilometer High-Tech Shield
Major General Eran Ofir, head of the Borders and Seam Directorate, confirmed that construction is currently underway in two sections. The finished barrier will eventually span about 500 kilometers along the entire eastern front.
He stressed the sophisticated nature of the design: "It will be a smart border with a fence, sensors, radars, cameras, and advanced IT tools to address evolving operational needs." Ofir concluded that additional crews would be joining the effort in the coming months to accelerate the construction timeline for this essential national defense project.