The Security Cabinet on Wednesday rejected a request to transfer half a billion shekels for the construction of fortified rooms in 4,400 homes in the Gaza periphery.

The discussion followed a petition filed by Gaza belt residents to the High Court of Justice, as well as a request by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and his deputy, Matan Vilna'i.

They had asked for the extra money in order to reinforce homes within a 4.7-kilometer range of the Gaza fence which the Iron Dome anti-Kassam system would not protect.

327 million shekels has already been approved for fortifying just less than half of the homes within that range.