The Ministry of Defense's Mine Clearance Authority has signed its first agreement for substantial landmine clearance, to clear a 240-dunam (60-acre) area around Neot Hakikar in the Arava Valley south of the Dead Sea. The mine clearing will begin in March, with thousands of mines due to be cleared this year.
The minefields in the Neot Hakikar area are extremely dangerous to the public, especially agricultural workers, local residents, and hikers.
Mine Clearance Authority director Ervin Lavi said, "We are talking about a very meaningful accomplishment in the greater campaign for the clearing of mines across Israel. Less than one year after the Mine Clearance Law was passed by the Knesset, we intend to be on the ground already at the beginning of March, ready to clear dangerous landmines; some of which have been there for more than fifty years."
Lavi added, "In Israel currently has 130,000 dunam (42,500 acres) of either minefields, or land in which there is a concern that landmines could have been laid. These landmines are not essential for the security of the state. They were laid over the course of many years, often for specific operational requirements, and are currently marked for clearance. These particular areas include foreign minefields and areas of land into which mines have drifted. In accordance with the assigned budget, the Mine Clearance Authority is preparing a multi-year plan to clear landmines in the north, south and center of the country."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 29, 2012
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