Israel to finish on wall isolating Jerusalem

The Israeli army announced construction should be finished on a wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem in a about a year.

The wall, dubbed “the Jerusalem envelope”, is set to isolate the holy city from neighboring Palestinian communities.

According to the plan, approved by the army’s Deputy Chief of Staff Yaif Naveh, works will continue on the structure’s remaining central points in the villages of Kalandia, West Shuafat, and Mount Gilo in an area not exceeding 20 kilometers.

The wall was planned to be completed three years ago, but legal objections presented by Palestinians curbed building.

The Israeli army’s Central Command said construction permits will be ready in the next few months.

The barrier will be majorly effective in Jerusalem’s security, the army said. It is designed to block “illegal” entry of people into Jerusalem and 1948-occupied territories.