Global General

Israel to begin building barrier with Egypt

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-10-28 12:29

JERUSALEM - The Israeli government says construction of a barrier along its porous southern border with Egypt will begin next month.

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Israeli Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser said Wednesday that a security committee has given the green light for construction.

The barrier is meant to prevent Islamic militants, drug dealers, African migrants and other asylum seekers from entering Israel from Egypt.

There has been an influx of Africans seeking refuge in Israel in recent years. Many enter via the scantily guarded border. Israel says at least 1,000 people enter the country illegally from Egypt each month.

A Palestinian militant sneaked into Egypt from Gaza, then infiltrated Israel where he carried out a suicide bombing in 2007, killing three people.