Thahir Asmal, Radio Islam News – 28-05-2018

Israel has begun working on an ocean barrier with Gaza, just days after it announced plans to expand settlements in the West Bank.

The Israeli defence ministry says the water plan, which consists of fortified breakwater topped with barbed wire, was to prevent Palestinians from infiltrating its territory.

Defence minister Avigdor Lieberman says it will be completed by the end of the year.

“This is the only barrier of its kind in the world, which will effectively block the possibility of infiltrating into Israel by sea. It will be further thwarting Hamas, which will lose another strategic capability (after) investing huge sums in its development.”

Israeli naval vessels continue to make it difficult for Gaza’s fishermen to fish beyond a certain point.

The latest move comes after Lieberman revealed last week that plans were in place for 2,500 new homes in 30 West Bank settlements to be built in the coming months.