Israel will build a 254-km fibre-optic cable between the Mediterranean and Red Sea, creating a continuous link between Europe and countries in the Gulf and Asia.

According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, state-owned energy group Europe Asia Pipeline Company (EAPC) will build the cable along the route of an oil pipeline it operates across Israel from the Mediterranean port of Ashkelon to Eilat on the northern Red Sea.

As per EAPC, the project will position Israel as a communication land bridge connecting the Gulf countries and Asia to Europe. The cable will hook up to subsea cables that reach Israel’s shores. It will be available to any telecom company licensed in Israel under a 25-year lease.