Defense Ministry: 500 protective structures in south by year's end

Placing of structures for protection against Gaza rocket fire to be expedited despite ceasefire The Defense Ministry is expected to complete the project of dispersing 500 hollow concrete structures for protection against rocket fire in Sderot and other Gaza-vicinity towns by the end of 2008. The project is expected to be implemented at an accelerated pace despite the ongoing ceasefire between and the armed Palestinian groups in the Strip and the relative calm in the region. The first phase of the project was completed this week with the distribution of 200 hollow concrete structures in the south. The State has recently approved the allocation of NIS 15 million ($4.2 million) toward the project, and the Defense Ministry will select three companies to manufacture the structures simultaneously. "Despite the calm, it is our duty... [read full story]