Israel plans 40 new settlement outposts along Jordan border to address eastern security vulnerability

Israel has completed the establishment of its Eastern Region Directorate, aimed at leading what it described as a broad security and civilian initiative along its longest land border with Jordan, including plans to establish about 40 new settlement outposts.

According to Maariv, the Israeli Defence Ministry set up the Eastern Region Directorate at the start of this year. The ministry said the body was established to coordinate and oversee the work of its various departments in the eastern region with government ministries and state authorities. In recent weeks, the directorate has conducted field tours of the area and held a strategic workshop attended by dozens of lawmakers and senior government officials.

The ministry’s Director General, Major General (res.) Amir Baram, told a forum of ministry directors on Sunday that the eastern region, as Israel’s longest land border, represented a security vulnerability.

“Because the region has not been a national priority for many years, the government response requires the full mobilisation of all ministries and authorities to develop border and defence infrastructure, as well as transport, settlements and industry,” he said.

READ: Israel approves 13 new illegal settlements as Palestinians warn of Jerusalem’s further isolation