IDF Gaza division works to repair Gaza hi-tech fence

As part of the war effort against Hamas Israel must return the security fence along the Gaza border to full working order. This will provide Israel with the “eyes” on Gaza that are needed, meaning it will re-establish the sensors and other technological systems that made up the border posts and fence before October 7. The fence was reputed to have cost a billion dollars, however Hamas was able to assault it at 29 locations, causing damage and breaking through. 

The Gaza Division suffered during the opening day of the war and its headquarters near Reim was attacked. Now the IDF says the “Directorate of Borders and Buffer Zone in the Ministry of Defense and the Technological and Logistics Directorate (J4) have been working non-stop since the beginning of the war, while under fire, to repair and return to service the sites that were damaged in the area around ​​the security fence.”

This is called “returning eyes to Gaza.” In order to deal with the threat the border area has to be cleared and secured. “The sites were searched and cleared of explosive devices alongside the installation of new systems in the area.” 

Now the sensors and “cyber capabilities” are “almost fully repaired, “ the IDF said. "We have all enlisted for the benefit of the mission and we will operate at all hours of the day and in any area that is required. We will continue to work together in cooperation to strengthen control of the area,” Commander of the Repair and Maintenance Center, Col. Tomer Schreiber said.

"During the last few weeks we have been repairing the Observation Array, while under threat and during combat in a mission-oriented and determined manner. Our forces work at all times with the goal of restoring the means, locating the enemy and destroying it,” Commander of the 414th Battalion, Lt. Col. Ofir Abraham added. 

The directorate has been leading the repair of the data collection and cyber systems on the border. “The early preparation, the intensive work and the commitment of the people resulted in the system being almost fully completed as it was before the war. Our people work 24/7 under fire, in the most dangerous places in order to restore the situation to its original state and support the division's effort in striking and in defense. We will continue to work together as needed,” said the head of the Multidimensional Defense Systems in the Directorate of Borders and Buffer Zone at the Ministry of Defense, Lt. Col. Adar Cohen. 

Testing the waters

This is important and it comes as Israel has also launched its first raid into Gaza, using tanks. As Israel prepares the ground operation it will want the border secure so that troops operating in Gaza are not only secure in the rear, but so that communities cannot be threatened.

In addition it is essential that the terrorists not be able to strike at Israel in one location, while Israel operates in Gaza or on the border. Furthermore the border must be secure because if the army enters Gaza any civilians who are in Gaza will be safe but also any terrorists will not be able to filter through toward the border.  

The repair of the fence is an important step. It is part of the rehabilitation of many areas and units impacted by the war. The Defense Ministry and Israel’s government in general is trying to plow money into the border communities and also improve the safety of the communities when the residents return.

25 communities along the border were evacuated in the first days of the war, and the city of Sderot was evacuated. Another 29 communities deeper inside Israel, several kilometers from Gaza, have also been impacted. This is more than 50 towns and villages, and impacts farmers and residents.