S'13
06-17-2004, 09:57 AM
"Philadelphi tunnel" tender published
Despite uncertainty over future of Gaza's Philadelphi route, Defense Ministry invites proposals for excavation of 25-meter deep, 4-kilomters long tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.
Marwan Athamna and Amir Buhbut
The security establishment is starting to prepare for the day after the IDF withdraws from the Gaza Strip. Today, the Defense Ministry published a tender calling on contractors to submit proposals for the excavation of a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The tender apparently refers to the Philadelphi route.
According to the tender, the 4-kilometer tunnel's depth will vary between 15 to 25 meters. The Defense Ministry notes that proposals should be submitted no later than July 12, which can attest to the great urgency of construction the tunnel.
The Philadelphi route presents a serious headache to security authorities and politicians alike. The route, which separates the southern Gaza Strip from Egypt, is used by terror organizations to smuggle weapons and terrorists. The security establishment is concerned that once the IDF withdraws from the route, terrorists would be able to utilize it for their advantage uninterrupted.
Security authorities have been working overtime in an attempt to come up with creative solutions to the problems presented by the route. One of the ideas put forth was the excavation of an underground tunnel. The plan called for pumping water into the tunnel, thus causing the collapse of arms smuggling tunnels. The idea did not materialize, after military officials argued that terrorists could overcome the problems presented by a tunnel by reinforcing existing tunnels with cement or iron pillars.
It is notable that the matter has also been extensively addressed in the disengagement plan. The original draft of the plan stressed that Israel will continue to maintain a security presence, defined as an "essential security need", on the route. The draft noted that withdrawal from the route could be considered in the future, in accordance with "security realities". Evacuation of the route in question is also conditioned upon the degree of cooperation with Egypt.
Meanwhile, the reports about the publication of the tender have been met with contempt from MK Avshalom (Abu) Vilan (Yahad). Vilan told NRG Maariv: "The Defense Ministry's decision lacks any military or geographic logic". He added: "It's time we started using our brains. The proposed solution is bad in every respect".
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8702
Despite uncertainty over future of Gaza's Philadelphi route, Defense Ministry invites proposals for excavation of 25-meter deep, 4-kilomters long tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.
Marwan Athamna and Amir Buhbut
The security establishment is starting to prepare for the day after the IDF withdraws from the Gaza Strip. Today, the Defense Ministry published a tender calling on contractors to submit proposals for the excavation of a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The tender apparently refers to the Philadelphi route.
According to the tender, the 4-kilometer tunnel's depth will vary between 15 to 25 meters. The Defense Ministry notes that proposals should be submitted no later than July 12, which can attest to the great urgency of construction the tunnel.
The Philadelphi route presents a serious headache to security authorities and politicians alike. The route, which separates the southern Gaza Strip from Egypt, is used by terror organizations to smuggle weapons and terrorists. The security establishment is concerned that once the IDF withdraws from the route, terrorists would be able to utilize it for their advantage uninterrupted.
Security authorities have been working overtime in an attempt to come up with creative solutions to the problems presented by the route. One of the ideas put forth was the excavation of an underground tunnel. The plan called for pumping water into the tunnel, thus causing the collapse of arms smuggling tunnels. The idea did not materialize, after military officials argued that terrorists could overcome the problems presented by a tunnel by reinforcing existing tunnels with cement or iron pillars.
It is notable that the matter has also been extensively addressed in the disengagement plan. The original draft of the plan stressed that Israel will continue to maintain a security presence, defined as an "essential security need", on the route. The draft noted that withdrawal from the route could be considered in the future, in accordance with "security realities". Evacuation of the route in question is also conditioned upon the degree of cooperation with Egypt.
Meanwhile, the reports about the publication of the tender have been met with contempt from MK Avshalom (Abu) Vilan (Yahad). Vilan told NRG Maariv: "The Defense Ministry's decision lacks any military or geographic logic". He added: "It's time we started using our brains. The proposed solution is bad in every respect".
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8702