OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, June 17, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Israel is building an underwater barrier to seal of Gaza Strip before unilaterally withdrawing from the Palestinian territory in mid August, according to a report by an Israeli daily Friday, June 17.

The report, published by the Jerusalem Post, said the Israeli Navy has already embarked on the construction work of the barrier, adding it was not clear whether it would be completed in time for the Gaza withdrawal.

The report, citing unnamed Israeli sources, typically claimed its aim is to abort "Palestinian attacks" from the sea.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Israeli officials as saying the sea barrier was essential under the expected loss of surveillance posts in the planned pullout from the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper also reported that the first 150 meters of the barrier will consist of cement pilings buried into the seabed. It added that the barrier will extend another 800 meters in the form of 1.8-yard-deep fence floating beneath the surface.

"It is not yet clear whether the navy intends to demarcate the territorial waters with buoys, as it did with Lebanon. Off the coast of Rosh Hanikra, there are seven linked buoys reaching out 4,200 meters from the coast," said the Jerusalem Post.

"In similar moves to better seal off Gaza, the Navy is also refurbishing its observation and radar station at the Erez border crossing, and is adding an antenna tower there similar to the 85-meter structure at its base in Rosh Hanikra."

The separation wall cutting deep into the West Bank seems not to be Israel's last wall.

The Israeli army, however, refused to comment on the sea barrier report, according to Reuters.

But Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat reacted angrily to it, according to Al-Jazeera.net.

"I hope the Israeli mentality of barriers will end. Now they have land barriers and tomorrow sea barriers and the day after sky barriers and what else? Will they put a barrier around each Palestinian individual or house?"

"This is the wrong policy. This is political blindness. The answer to all these woes of security and so on in is a meaningful peace process, is building the bridges with the Palestinians, is ending the occupation," Erekat added.

Israel is already under intense international criticism due to the separation barrier it is building in the West Bank, which will eventually extend 600 kilometers, cutting into the occupied territories and disrupting the lives of the Palestinians.