Netanyahu inspects construction of wall on Jordan border and warns: "Do not test us"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday inspected the construction of a new security wall on the border with Jordan, stretching from the Yarmouk River in the north to Eilat in the south, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and military commanders. Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to its areas of control in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, amid an intensification of security rhetoric ahead of the elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday inspected the construction of a new security wall on the border with Jordan, stretching from the Yarmouk River in the north to Eilat in the south. The tour took place in the Jordan Valley, near Kibbutz Masada, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Head of the Border and Contact Line Directorate in the IDF Major General Eran Ofer, the commander of the 96th Division, and several other military commanders. During the visit, Netanyahu heard a briefing on "the work carried out to strengthen fortifications and military capabilities on the eastern border," before emphasizing that Israel continues to work on establishing what he described as "the massive barrier we are building on the eastern border, from the Yarmouk to Eilat." Netanyahu said: "We are surrounding the State of Israel with massive barriers, but it does not stop there," noting the presence of forces, action plans, and programs. He added: "We are building this barrier to enhance security, in addition to the security zones we have in Lebanon, Syria, and of course in the Gaza Strip," in an affirmation of the Israeli government's continued adoption of a policy of permanent occupation of the areas it controls beyond its borders. This escalation in security rhetoric comes ahead of the elections, as the Israeli leadership increasingly employs security threats in its political discourse.