Israel plans to build a concrete wall both above ground and underground along the Gaza border to combat Hamas tunnels in the area, Arab48 reported.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported yesterday that the “defence system” includes a concrete wall tens of metres under the ground, and it will also extend above the ground to hinder Hamas’ ability to continue to dig attack tunnels.

Israeli authorities had previously estimated the project’s cost at tens of bilions of dollars. But the new plan, which has been recently approved by the Israeli defence ministry, will cost 2.2 billion Israeli shekels ($0.57 billion), Yedioth Ahronth added.

The fence is the first of its kind in Israel. It will stretch over 60 kilometres above Gaza’s borders and will be the third defence system that Israel has built on its border, according to the newspaper. The first defence system was established in the 1990s following the signing of the Oslo Accords, and the second was established following Israel’s 2005 unilateral decision to disengage from the Gaza Strip.