TEL-AVIV, January 2 (RIA Novosti) – Israel has completed the construction of a 230-kilometer (143 mile)-long security fence along the Egyptian border, a spokesman for the country’s prime minister said on Wednesday.

The fence is equipped with modern security systems and is designed to prevent Islamic militants, drug dealers, African migrants and asylum seekers from entering Israel from Egypt.

The construction took two years and cost approximately $420 million.

"This is a great achievement. You did the impossible. I would like to convey to you the gratitude of all Israelis," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the completion of the fence.

"For seven months, not one infiltrator has reached Israel's cities,” Netanyahu said.