[LottiFurmann]

In a move designed to better isolate Israel from potential terrorist infiltration from the Gaza Strip, the navy has started building an underwater barrier leading out to sea from the north Gaza shore.

The barrier, which essentially extends the northern security road separating Gaza from Israel into the Mediterranean, is primarily aimed at thwarting Palestinian terrorists swimming up to the Israeli coast. It consists in its first 150 meters of cement pilings burrowed into the sandy bottom. Beyond that, the barrier will extend for a further 800 meters, in the form of a 1.8-meter-deep fence floating beneath the surface.

It is understood that one of the navy's perceived imperatives for the new barrier is the loss of surveillance systems at the Tel Ridan base on the beach south of Gaza City when the IDF pulls out of Gaza this summer. Still, the barrier is not expected to be completed before August 15, when disengagement is set to begin.

It is not yet clear whether the navy intends to demarcate the territorial waters with buoys, as it did with Lebanon. Off the coast of Rosh Hanikra, there are seven linked buoys reaching out 4,200 meters from the coast.

In similar moves to better seal off Gaza, the Navy is also refurbishing its observation and radar station at the Erez border crossing, and is adding an antenna tower there similar to the 85-meter structure at its base in Rosh Hanikra.

Palestinian terrorists have made attempts to swim to the Israeli coast in the past, and have been foiled mainly because they were spotted by radar and surveillance outposts onshore in the Gaza area. The new barrier is intended to foil potential efforts in which swimmers go beyond such surveillance capacities.

The barrier would also back up naval patrols intercepting small vessels carrying terrorists.

Last November, a heavily armed Palestinian terrorist dressed in a wetsuit tried to swim in from the sea to attack a Jewish settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. Navy surveillance ground forces spotted him and shot him dead 400 meters from the beach. He had on him a bomb, an AK-47, four grenades, five ammunition clips, a knife and a rubber dinghy. In essence, it is understood, the sea barrier represents an extension of the Gaza security fence that has proven highly effective in preventing suicide bombers infiltrating into Israel.

[PhillipHer]

Why would anyone want to build another wall around themselves?
I agree with Gilgamesh in the respect that such a wall is little more than a diversion, but I don't think open warfare is the right answer either.
It seems to me that such a fence, like any other, would provide little besides a false sense of security.

Welcome aboard Haakon.
The fenses and the massive defense constraction, have limited benefits, which usually do not cover the investment. It is the result of bad leadership, of high commanders and various officials covering their tails while avoiding tackeling the problems at hand.

Fighting terrorism, became contraversial in some circles in Israel. Terror victims do not file suits against the goverment, while NGO's and foreign goverments do lobby for the terrorists. Meth is simple on the high windows. It is called curroptions. Commanders do not want to risk their careers if colleteral demage happense while chasing a terrorist.

Mossad style surgical opperations are not always practicle or cost effective in fighting terrorism. Sometimes you have a moment notice to prevent an attack.

The enemy resorts heavly on human shields in his attacks. The result is passive resistance to terrorism. More walls, more patrols more restriction on rules of engagement.

We can't win with our current moral and political leadership. No better leader is currently in sight.

[MannoFr]

Its main advantage is the symbolic one. It cuts the Palestian colony off, and that's what really matters. There is a need to clear up all the muddied territorial waters, and that's a start. It's a simple message really: this isn't your country or your land. Want to swim North? Get a visa!

As for everything else being said, these are the problems associated with the ongoing degradation of the general morale and patriotic spirit, and the lousy system of government that desperately needs a reform. And it would be nice if the families of the victims start sueing the Army and the Israeli government for failing to protect their relatives.

[9mm_fan]

Those evil Zionist Neocon Running/Swimming Dog(fish)s!!! How dare they impede the migration of Mediterranean Tachinus vipera and Uranoscopus scaber fish?!??! And what about the long term side effects of ruining the Palestinian Olypic Water Skiing Team's dream of an Olympic 98th Place Finish???? All this to protect swiiming Jews from being Depth Mined!!!

No, actually, from sea born invasion of Arab terrorists. We had a few in the past, most failed.

Since my early days as child in chess class, my father taught me that "offense is the best defense", hence the coach named me the "bomber" for my aggresive moves.

The fense, any fense, is not a substitute for warfare and will not deter the enemy from striking. All defenses are made to earn time at crusial moments, nothing more.

[brraverishhh]

MAAAANN Israelis are like a god to me now!!!

everything against terrorism 10 points i gave to Israel now. Using money to block terrorism, even under the water.

but once i heard, palestinians are making tunnel under the ground and destroyin also under the ground..

anyway, its cool idea under the water