Israel’s defense ministry said it soon will begin clearing thousands of mines in southern Israel.

In a statement Jan. 29, defense official Ervin Lavi said the ministry would clear 60 acres of land near the Dead Sea in March. Lavi said the ministry eventually intends to clear some 32,500 acres of land.

Israel’s move to destroy outdated land mines was spurred by the fate of 11-year-old Israeli Daniel Yuval, who lost his leg in February 2010 after stepping on a land mine in the Golan Heights.

His family and San Rafael–based Roots of Peace have since been campaigning to get rid of old mines. — ap