An Israeli soldier climbs a ladder at the site of construction on a new barrier at Zikim beach, close to the border with the northern Gaza Strip December 27, 2009. Sunday marks one year since the start of a three-week offensive Israel launched in Gaza during which more than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed. Israel launched the offensive with the declared aim of stopping Palestinian rocket fire on southern Israel.
REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY)