NIS 3.4 Billion Resettlement Plan Aims to Return Northerners by March

After over a year of war-driven displacement, thousands of Israelis from the north are preparing to return home in March. To support this transition, the Israeli government has announced a NIS 3.4 billion ($934 million) compensation plan aimed at easing the financial burden on returning families and ensuring long-term security in the region.

At a press conference in Jerusalem, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reaffirmed the government’s commitment to both security and economic assistance. “The key to returning home is security, and we are not going to compromise on this matter,” Smotrich said. “Residents of the north are returning to a different security reality, and we will make sure that quiet is maintained for years.”

The compensation package includes substantial grants to help residents rebuild their lives. Adults will receive up to NIS 25,360, while each child is eligible for NIS 12,680, with a cap of seven children per household. For example, a family of six could receive NIS 101,440 in direct support.

The grants are divided into two categories: one to facilitate the return home and another to compensate for indirect damage caused by prolonged absence. Homes that sustained direct damage from Hezbollah’s rocket attacks will receive separate government-funded reparations.

Returning adults will be eligible for NIS 15,360 each, while children will receive NIS 7,680 to assist with relocation expenses. Additionally, an extra NIS 10,000 per adult and NIS 5,000 per child will be allocated to cover damages to household infrastructure, including broken appliances and deteriorated property. The payments will be distributed via the National Insurance Institute.

Understanding the disruption to children’s education, the government has provided flexibility for families who wish to remain in their temporary accommodations until the school year ends in June. Those who opt for a delayed return will still receive the home abandonment compensation, though their return-home grant will decrease over time.

The October 7 attacks in 2023 forced the evacuation of dozens of northern communities as Hezbollah launched near-daily strikes from Lebanon. Even after a temporary ceasefire in late November, many displaced residents remain concerned about their safety.

Beyond individual compensation, the government is investing in the broader rehabilitation of the north. MK Ze’ev Elkin, head of the Northern Rehabilitation Directorate, confirmed that funds will be allocated to local municipalities to ensure schools, daycare centers, and essential services are fully operational by March.

Moshe Davidovich, head of Western Galilee’s Mateh Asher Regional Council, welcomed the plan but stressed that long-term development must be a national priority. “The message for me is not just the grants, but that there is an action plan to return our residents home,” he said. “The return of residents to a normal life, rehabilitation, and growth of the Galilee and border communities are of utmost importance to us.”

Davidovich urged the government to continue investing in education, welfare, business, agriculture, and tourism to revitalize the north. “The Israeli government should put this before its eyes as a national mission,” he emphasized.

As Israel works to restore normalcy for tens of thousands of displaced citizens, the government’s commitment to security and economic stability will be critical. The coming months will determine the success of this plan, but one thing remains certain: the people of Israel are determined to rebuild, return, and thrive.

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