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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Israel-Jordan border vulnerable to attack, weapon smuggling, residents say

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Local residents and officials express fear that the Israel-Jordan border remains vulnerable to attack and weapon smuggling despite ongoing fence construction.
  • Concerns include the current wire fence's poor condition, infrequent IDF patrols, and the potential for breaches allowing illegal entry.
  • A military source indicated that about half of smuggled weapons and goods are intercepted, raising fears that terrorists could also cross.

Despite the construction of a new, high-tech security fence along the Israel-Jordan border, local residents and officials voice significant concerns about the area's vulnerability to attacks, weapon smuggling, and terrorist infiltration. The current wire-fence setup is described as inadequate, with reports of it being torn down and easily passable.

There's nothing behind it. There's no problem crossing this twisted fence either. Here, for example, it's completely open. There are no indicative measures on the fence. Any citizen can cross, they don't even have to jump because it's torn down.

— Meir TzurDescribing the poor condition and vulnerability of the current wire-fence along the Israel-Jordan border.

Meir Tzur, head of the Central Arava Regional Council, highlighted the deficiencies in the existing defenses. "There's nothing behind it," he told N12 News, emphasizing that the twisted wire fence is easily crossed. He noted the lack of indicative measures and the infrequent patrols by IDF forces, stating, "You can just walk into Jordan." Tzur stressed the need for the Israeli army to be stationed directly on the border line, expressing distrust in relying solely on remote technology and fences.

You can just walk into Jordan.

— Meir TzurHighlighting the lack of effective IDF patrols along the border.

Residents also point to a steady flow of illegal entrants and smuggled goods, including weapons, crossing from Jordan into Israel. One military source revealed that the IDF intercepts approximately 50% of these smuggled items. This statistic fuels fears that if weapons can be smuggled, terrorists could also succeed in crossing the border undetected.

We really want the Israeli army to be stationed on the border line, and not just with remote technology. We are afraid of this technology. Every Israeli knows that what starts with a small breach may eventually lead to a failure. A fence alone or technology is not the absolute solution.

— Meir TzurExpressing the need for physical military presence on the border rather than relying solely on technology.

The IDF is constructing a new security fence, expected to be completed by early 2028, which will incorporate advanced sensors and cost tens of millions of shekels. Defense sources indicate that Israel is also escalating proactive intelligence collection missions along the border, acknowledging that the fence alone is not a complete solution.

If they succeed in smuggling weapons, they can also succeed in smuggling a terrorist.

— Military sourceExpressing concern that successful weapon smuggling indicates a vulnerability to terrorist infiltration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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