A year and two months since the beginning of the war, and there is no rest at the Jordan border. The defense establishment estimates that within about three years, a new eastern barrier, 400 kilometers long, can be constructed, providing an upgraded security response against arms smuggling from Iran and terrorist infiltrations, as reported in Israel Hayom. The project’s estimated cost is around five billion shekels.
Where will the Fence Run?
The plan proposes a fence to be built from Ramon Airport in the south, through the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley, Beit She’an, and up to Hamat Gader in the north. The fence will replace the existing barrier, which does not adequately address certain segments and is entirely absent in others.
The Ministry of Defense has already allocated resources for planning the barrier, which is expected to be completed by March of next year. The construction itself is expected to take place at several sites simultaneously, prioritizing sensitive areas, near communities, and where smuggling attempts occur. The fence is expected to be completed in just three years. Brigadier General Eran Ofir, head of the Border Administration in the Ministry of Defense, is responsible for the implementation.
Reinforcement of Reserve Forces
Alongside the construction of the fence, the defense establishment is preparing for the possibility of a “spillover effect” that might occur following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. This concern relates to destabilization in Jordan, a country of strategic importance to Israel’s security, which could impact the eastern border and require immediate reinforcement of the defense array.
As part of the preparation for such a scenario, a dedicated eastern division is being established to operate alongside the new fence project. Additionally, the IDF is increasing the recruitment of volunteers to the reserve array, establishing a new division comprising five defense brigades designed to handle unforeseen scenarios. These brigades will be based on about 15,000 reservists, some of whom have already begun the joining and absorption processes.
