CAIRO: Israel has begun renovating and raising the barbed wire fence on its side of the Egyptian-Israeli border in a possible effort to curb attempts by African refugees to enter Israel. There are three barbed wire fences that separate the border, one on the Egyptian side, one in the middle and one on the Israeli side. It is the latter that is being redone. Work has begun on the wire fence which extends some 30 km from the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing to Al-Oja crossing. "It is being done to prevent African refugees from trying to enter Israel through the border, it is on the Israeli side, there is also a fear that people may enter Sinai from Gaza and then enter Israel, Democratic Front Party member in the area, Mohamed El Menei, told Daily News Egypt. Many African refugees have attempted to breach the border and enter Israel, often paying with their lives, 28 being killed in 2008 as they attempted to cross. Also an Egyptian policeman was killed earlier this month by migrants attempting to cross the border. Security has increased in Sinai since the announcement of the finding of alleged cell operated by Hezbollah in the area. The increased security raids have caused consternation amongst the Bedouin residents in Sinai who have attempted to come out in protest against them. Security forces have stated that they are still searching for some 25 people in Sinai who they believe are involved with the Hezbollah cell. As a result, there has been a heavier than usual security presence in Sinai since then. However, according to El Menei, "things have calmed somewhat recently, there have been no raids on homes, only on the highways.
