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Israel unveiled plans for an underground border wall around Gaza yesterday (Thursday), which military officials said would stop Hamas burrowing into its territory.

A 500 million pounds (250,000 tons) subterranean concrete barrier will run for 40 miles (64.4 km) along the entire border, the first of its kind in the world.

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In the last three months, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have destroyed three tunnels into Israel from Gaza. A senior IDF official said he was confident that once the barrier was complete, tunnels would no longer pose a threat. “That will be it,” he said.

The barrier is expected to be completed within two years, and three miles have already been constructed. Underground sensors will detect future efforts to tunnel into Israel, while a 30 ft (9 m) high fence will prevent overground crossings.

Israel refused to say how deep the wall would go but it is believed it may reach 330ft (101 m) in some places.