CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Gaza-vicinity community leaders Wednesday there's insufficient funding to fortify homes against rocket and mortar shell attacks, as recommended by the Home Front Command.

"[Barak] realizes what needs to be done, but isn't delivering," said Shaar Hanegev Regional Council head Alon Shuster.

"It appears that the political situation is paralyzing the decision-making process at the expense of the security of the southern front's residents," he said.

Ophir Libstein, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, close to the Gaza border, said the defense minister's visit Wednesday didn't accomplish anything.

"This looked like an elections campaign, with all the handshakes," Libstein said.

"Barak said he thought all the buildings in the 4.5 kilometer [2.8 mile ]radius of the Gaza border needed to be protected, but that the problem was with the budget," he said.

"This has turned into a political struggle, and it is no longer based on principle," Libstein said.

Sources: YNet news, The Jerusalem Post