Gaza Border Communities to Receive $1.3 Billion in Recovery Funds After Knesset Approval

In a major step toward rebuilding Israel’s southern communities, the Knesset on Monday approved a sweeping NIS 5 billion ($1.3 billion) recovery plan targeting towns and cities within 7 kilometers of the Gaza border, devastated by the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023.

The seven-year initiative, introduced by Knesset member Haim Katz and backed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, designates the affected areas as national development priorities. It also expands the authority of the Tekuma Directorate to oversee and implement all aspects of the reconstruction and rehabilitation effort.

“This plan is a message of commitment to those who bore the brunt of Hamas’s terror,” Katz stated. The funding will go toward strengthening regional infrastructure, boosting welfare programs, and launching economic development projects across the hardest-hit zones.

Key cities such as Ofakim and Ashkelon are specifically mentioned in the budget, with dedicated funds allocated to revitalize housing, transportation, and healthcare facilities, and to support displaced families returning to rebuild their lives.

Finance Minister Smotrich called the plan a long-term investment in the region’s future. “We’re not just rebuilding we’re transforming this region into a center of growth and opportunity,” he said.

This landmark recovery effort comes amid Israel’s continued war against Hamas and its mission to restore safety and normalcy to its southern communities. With this funding, the government is sending a powerful message: these communities are not only being defended they are being prioritized.

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