The De-Mining Operation at Site of Jesus' Baptism

It is estimated that up to 4,000 mines cover the 136-acre site; and there are reports that booby-traps have been placed at the seven churches in the area. The work by the Halo Trust will cost an estimated $4 million USD (approximately £3 million GBP) and take two years to complete. It will allow Coptic, Ethiopian, Greek, Romanian, Syrian and Russian Orthodox Churches and one Roman Catholic Church to be “restored to their proper purpose and enjoyed by thousands of pilgrims and visitors,” the Halo Trust said. A plot of land belonging to the Armenian Orthodox Church will also be de-mined.