Ammon News - The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the official start of construction on the first two sections of the security barrier being developed along the border with Jordan.

According to Times of Israel report, the two sections, totaling approximately 80 kilometers in length, are located in the northern part of the border with Jordan.

In total, the project to develop the Israeli fence along 425 kilometers (264 miles) of the border with Jordan—from the Samer Sands north of Eilat, through the West Bank, and down to the southern Golan Heights—will cost approximately 5.5 billion shekels ($1.7 billion), according to the ministry.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said, "The new barrier will strengthen settlements along the border and significantly reduce arms smuggling into the West Bank."