New West Bank cement factory poses major security risk, expert warns

A security expert warns that a new Palestinian cement factory in Jericho could pose a major security risk to Israel, as the cement might be used to construct tunnels similar to Hamas's network in Gaza. The factory, inaugurated by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, has a production capacity of 1.3 million tons annually. Experts note limited Israeli oversight in Area A and the PA's past failure to meet obligations.

A security expert has warned that the inauguration of the first Palestinian cement factory in Area A of the West Bank could pose a significant security risk to Israel, primarily because the cement could be used to construct underground infrastructure similar to the extensive tunnel network built by Hamas in Gaza. The factory, located in Jericho, was inaugurated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. It was established through a partnership between the Palestinian Investment Fund and the Issa Khoury Group for Mining and Construction Industries. The Jericho Cement Industry Company (JCIC) has a production capacity of 1.3 million tons annually and will initially employ 100 workers. Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch, director of the Initiative for Palestinian Authority Accountability and Reform at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, warned that unchecked cement production could be used for nefarious purposes, noting the PA has regularly failed to meet its obligations in past agreements. Prof. Arie Reich of Bar-Ilan University noted that under the Oslo II Accord, civil jurisdiction over Area A falls to the PA, limiting Israeli oversight unless there is evidence of a security risk. The article also notes that a spokesperson from the Joint Economic Committee confirmed there had been no coordination regarding the factory.