Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered the construction of a fence along two segments of Israel's border with Egypt "to stem the infiltration of migrant workers and terrorists into Israel," the Haaretz newspaper said.

"I took the decision to close Israel's southern border to infiltrators and terrorists. This is a strategic decision to secure Israel's Jewish and democratic character," the Haaretz quoted Netanyahu as saying on Sunday.

According to the newspaper, thousands of foreign migrants have come to Israel through its border with Egypt over the last few years in search for work and better living conditions.

Israeli authorities also claimed that Palestinian militants had infiltrated through the Egyptian border to stage several terrorist attacks on Israeli territory.

The first two sections of the $270-mln barrier will be constructed in the next two years near Eilat, Israel's southernmost resort city, and Nitzana, near the border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Advanced surveillance equipment will help border control officers to spot infiltrators, the Haaretz said.

MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti)