By RAFAEL D. FRANKEL
Construction will begin in the coming weeks on the final segment of southern area of the security fence, the Defense Ministry said in a Thursday statement.
The segment will run from Metzadot Yehuda to the fence's termination point some eight kilometers from the Dead Sea. That segment of the fence runs through the Judean Desert and green groups have expressed concern about possible damage to the environment of the area.
The Defense Ministry statement said it had consulted with the green groups and that environmental considerations were being taken into account. Construction on the segment will likely take the better part of 2006 and may continue into 2007.