500 days of war: 53,000 residents returned to Gaza Envelope, 13 communities waiting

On the 500th anniversary of the war, the administration of Tekuma published data on the rehabilitation and return of residents to communities in the Gaza Envelope. The Civil Administration notes that out of the 45 settlements in the Tekuma region and the city of Sderot, the vast majority of them have already returned home. In fact, out of about 64,000 residents, about 53,000, constituting 83% of the region's total population, have returned home.

There are currently 13 localities that are prevented from returning for security or rehabilitation reasons: Nine localities have both security and rehabilitation impediments. Most of these communities are undergoing advanced rehabilitation, and work on them will be completed in 2025.

In four localities (Hulit, Kfar Aza, Be'eri and Nir Oz), construction is expected to be completed in 2026. Meanwhile, in Kerem Shalom, Nahal Oz, Nirim, Re'im and Ein HaShlosha, work is underway, with defined timetables for completing the rehabilitation and reconstruction.

In Kissufim, work is expected to begin in the coming month. In Nir Yitzhak, Sufa and Netiv Ha'asara, the damages have been treated or are in the process of being treated. Extensive restoration work is underway in Be'eri, and so far about 70 of the 150 homes slated for demolition have been demolished. At the same time, about 250 of the 400 houses that were damaged to varying degrees were renovated.

In the village of Gaza, work is expected to begin in the coming weeks. In Kerem Shalom, restoration work has been completed in 36 residences and three public buildings. During the coming month, work is expected to be completed in 24 additional homes, which will enable the removal of the rehabilitative impediment in the kibbutz and the return of the residents to their homes.

The administration notes that rehabilitation in Re'im and Nirim is also progressing at a rapid pace. Within two weeks, the renovation work is expected to be completed in 90 homes, with the rehabilitative prevention expected to be lifted by the end of March 2025.

In Nirim, all the houses are expected to be handed over by the end of the month, which will enable the removal of the rehabilitative prevention by the end of April 2025. In Ein HaShlosha, renovation work is being carried out in 75 out of about 150 houses. For the buildings that were severely damaged and slated for demolition, treatment is carried out in a designated track, while providing housing solutions adapted to the affected families.