Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday a comprehensive plan worth 13 billion shekels (over $4.5 billion) to secure and develop northern communities along the Lebanon border, which have been heavily impacted by weeks of rocket and drone attacks from Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Government Approval and Funding
The government approved the measure, which adds to a previous allocation of 7 billion shekels, bringing the total investment to 20 billion shekels. Netanyahu stated, "The government made dramatic decisions today to strengthen the north. We are investing more than 13 billion shekels today, in addition to the seven billion we have already provided — a total of 20 billion shekels going to the communities of the north."
Components of the Mega-Plan
The package, dubbed a "mega-plan" by Netanyahu's office, consists of three key decisions. First, it includes the deployment of 1,800 new protective shelters in public spaces such as bus stops, shopping centers, and parks, along with the renovation of around 500 existing shelters to shield residents from incoming rockets and drones.
Second, the plan allocates subsidies for the construction of safe rooms inside homes for residents living within nine kilometers (5.6 miles) of the Lebanon border. Third, it aims to develop the area to attract 100,000 new residents by improving health, transport, education, and tourism infrastructure, as well as job opportunities.
Netanyahu's Vision
Netanyahu expressed confidence in the plan's success, drawing parallels to the southern region near Gaza. "People will flock to the north. I said the same about the south. Today there is very strong demand there; there is tremendous growth and flourishing — and that is what will happen here as well," he said.
Political Criticism
The government has faced criticism from opposition figures who accuse it of neglecting areas along the Lebanon border. Opposition party leaders Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, and Naftali Bennett took to social media on Monday night to highlight that only three government ministers attended the cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in the north. Eisenkot wrote, "The residents of the north deserve leadership that will see them and take care of them."
