The Sinai Peninsula is the only land hub where three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe—meet, holding a strategically important position. In the 1967 Middle East War (the 3rd Arab-Israeli War, known as the “Six-Day War” in Israel), Israel seized large portions of Arab land and occupied the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. In order to firmly hold onto this strategic location, Israel spared no effort in 1969, investing heavily in manpower, materials, and finances, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to construct a defense system on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal spanning approximately 175 kilometers in width and 10 kilometers in depth, known as the Bar Lev Line.

The Bar Lev Line stretches from the northern port of Fuad to the southern Suakin Bay, spanning 175 kilometers in length and 30-35 kilometers in depth, covering a total area of 5,000 square kilometers, costing 300 million dollars. It mainly consists of three parallel defense lines: the first line is along the Suez Canal and its eastern bank, where oil pipes are buried under the embankment which, when ignited during war, can turn the canal into a sea of fire. Along the canal, there is a 20-meter thick sand embankment, behind which there are more than 30 forward support points with barbed wire fences and minefields in front. The second and third lines are located about ten to twenty kilometers apart from the canal, with 11 core fortresses constructed. These fortresses are generally semi-underground multi-story buildings with a steel and concrete framework, topped with rail tracks and stones encased in wire mesh, 4-5 meters thick, capable of withstanding direct attacks from heavy artillery shells and bombs. Each fortress consists of several bunkers, including a regimental command post, heavy artillery positions, ammunition and logistics warehouses, living quarters, command rooms, observation posts, and firing positions. They stockpile food and ammunition for over a month, connected by trenches providing mutual support during combat.

Bar Lev Line

Reason to visit: One of the most critical defense fortresses in the Middle East

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa

Country/Region: Egypt

Province/State: South Sinai Governorate

City: Sinai Peninsula