Israel begins construction of major barrier along Jordan border

Israel has begun construction on the first sections of a planned "security barrier" that would seal the full length of its border with Jordan, Israel's defence ministry announced on Monday.

The ministry said it had started work on two segments totalling 80 kilometres (around 50 miles), with the first phase concentrated in the Jordan Valley, an area Israel has long sought to entrench its control over.

The project is expected to cost 5.5 billion shekels ($1.71bn) and ultimately span 500 kilometres (311 miles), stretching from the southern reaches of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights to north of Eilat in southern Israel.

"This will be a smart border, featuring a physical fence, intelligence sensors, radars, cameras, and advanced technologies," said Eran Ofir, head of the Border Directorate at the ministry.

The ministry said tightening Israel's grip over its "eastern frontier" remains a central pillar of the defence strategy led by the ministry's director general, reserve Major General Amir Baram.

Israeli minister frames project as a blow to Iran

Commenting on the beginning of construction, Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said establishing the barrier was his "top priority" upon taking office.

He claimed the wall would strengthen Israeli settlements in the West Bank's Jordan Valley areaand sharply reduce weapons smuggling to Palestinian groups.

Katz described the project as "a harsh blow to Iran and its proxies", framing it as part of a wider effort to consolidate Israel's military dominance.

Israel's security cabinet approved the project in May, following what Israeli media described as two border-crossing incidents involving foreign nationals that went undetected, events Jordanian analysts say Israel has exaggerated to justify a sweeping new barrier.

Israeli motives 'beyond security'

Jordanian experts, however, argue the move extends far beyond security concerns and carries political implications for both the region and Israel's internal audience. 

Security and military expert Jalal al-Abadi told The New Arab's Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Israel frequently invokes smuggling and infiltration to justify unilateral measures that deepen the occupation and pressure neighbouring states.

He noted the planned wall had resembled those Israel had constructed along borders with Egypt, southern Lebanon and Gaza - high, reinforced and built to foreclose any movement above or below ground.

Al-Abadi said Israel appears to be signalling that existing security arrangements with Jordan were inadequate, despite Jordan's strict border enforcement.

"No country can fully prevent infiltration," he said, comparing the situation to the US-Mexico border despite its vast surveillance capabilities.

He added that the wall's practical security value was limited in an era of drone-driven smuggling, while its political function was clearer - projecting control, responding to domestic criticism and embedding Israeli narratives about external threats.