The Israeli government unanimously approved today (Tuesday) the national plan for the rehabilitation and development of southern communities impacted by the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.
The Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance jointly conducted a comprehensive review of all southern communities that experienced extensive and exceptional damage during the brutal Hamas assault—damage requiring a full-scale government response.
The state’s response will be implemented through three main frameworks:
- Communities within the Tkuma region will continue receiving support through the “Tkuma” Administration.
- Two government resolutions will continue in force: one covering the Western Negev region, and a second focused on the city of Ashkelon, due to its size and critical regional role.
- According to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance, this plan will enable government ministries to support additional municipalities and communities that fall outside the Tkuma region but also suffered significant harm. It will help establish regional growth infrastructure, rehabilitation mechanisms, and other key supports—aimed at restoring independence, rebuilding, and strengthening southern communities beyond the current Tkuma boundaries.
Netanyahu: “The communities will not only be restored, but will thrive”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The communities that were harmed will not only be restored, but will thrive and prosper more than ever before. We will expand Ofakim, Netivot, Ashkelon, and the rural villages of the Western Negev. We will provide long-term stability for residents of the region. We must remain steadfast until we reach all the goals of this war. The resilience shown by the people of the Negev throughout this campaign reflects our determination to achieve victory.”
Smotrich: “The South is Israel’s protective shield”
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said today’s government decision marks another step in the rehabilitation and development of the South. “After the horrific massacre of October 7, our responsibility is not just to rebuild what was destroyed—but to lay down a stronger vision, infrastructure, economy, and way of life than what existed before.”
“We are correcting a historic injustice and laying the foundation for long-term growth. The South is the protective shield of the State of Israel—and we will restore to it the strength and security it deserves. This government decision allocates billions of shekels to the residents of the Gaza Envelope and surrounding communities, funding development and welfare projects for cities and towns in the region.”
