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The Israeli government on Sunday approved the return of residents to seven of the 13 Gaza-border communities devastated during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault, which killed 1,200 people and left hundreds kidnapped.
The decision lifts military restrictions and affirms the completion of critical infrastructure repairs, enabling displaced families to return starting Tuesday.
The seven communities—Re’im, Kerem Shalom, Nirim, Ein Hashlosha, Sufa, Nir Yitzhak, and Netiv Ha’asara—were among the worst affected.
Their return marks a milestone in Israel’s ongoing rehabilitation campaign, spearheaded by the Tekuma Directorate, which has coordinated construction, housing, and community planning.
Minister Ze’ev Elkin, responsible for Gaza border rehabilitation, hailed the move as a testament to resilience. “We were able to shorten schedules, expand budgets, and create an infrastructure that allows not only a return, but growth as well,” he said Sunday.
Residents who return by July 31 will retain state rental support until that date, while others may apply for extended assistance through June 2026.
Despite visible progress, challenges persist. Kibbutz Nir Oz, where Hamas terrorists attacked nearly every home, continues to wait for a return timeline.
The kibbutz recently finalized a NIS 350 million ($95 million) rebuilding agreement with the state. Residents remain in temporary housing in Kiryat Gat.
Meanwhile, nearby communities continue to experience the psychological and structural aftershocks of the ongoing war. At Kibbutz Nirim, IDF airstrikes on Gaza still rattle buildings and shatter windows.
“There’s not a single building without cracks,” said community manager Maya Liberman, describing burst underground pipes and damaged fixtures.
For many, fear of renewed violence and economic instability casts a long shadow. A May survey by the Habayta Forum showed 55% of border residents are either unemployed or working reduced hours.
Nearly half of those unemployed cited mental or emotional reasons. Ziv Mazliach, chairman of the Forum and a displaced resident of Kfar Aza, emphasized that rehabilitation requires more than physical rebuilding.
“You don’t have to be clever to understand that there’s a war on. It’s hard to sleep here,” he said. “There’s no real healing without releasing the hostages and restoring trust in the state.”
The Tekuma Directorate remains focused on rebuilding all 13 affected communities, with Nahal Oz expected to reopen in August, Kissufim in late 2025, and Holit, Kfar Aza, and Be’eri in 2026.
Despite a state goal to nearly double the border region’s population by 2033, the return rate among the hardest-hit remains uncertain.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members