Illustrative – Family and friends participate in funeral of IDF soldier who was killed in battle in Gaza, December 10, 2023. (Photo: Michael Giladi/Flash90)
The Israeli government is expected to greenlight an aid package of NIS 1 billion ($270 million) to assist Israeli families that have been the most affected by the ongoing war in Gaza between the State of Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.
The aid package is earmarked to assist bereaved families, families of hostages held in Gaza, children and siblings of former hostages and residents of the southern Israeli town Ofakim. It was proposed by a committee established by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and headed by legal expert Prof. Aviad Hacohen.
“Today we are bringing a very important resolution proposal to the government,” Smotrich stated. “The terrible slaughter that occurred to us on Simchat Torah hit unprecedentedly many populations in the State of Israel. From the early days of the war, I followed an expanding civil policy and we acted to help and provide a broad envelope as much as possible to all Israeli citizens, especially those personally affected on that day,” the finance minister added.
The aid basket will also assist Israeli citizens defined as victims of terrorism but who do not fit into any of the above-mentioned categories.
The grants will be divided into various levels depending on how severely affected the individual has been by the war and whether it is an adult or a child. Affected adults can expect financial aid ranging from NIS 7,180 ($1,936) to NIS 28,720 ($7,744). Affected children can expect aid ranging from NIS 1,436 shekels ($387) to NIS 5,744 ($1,549). Furthermore, the rehabilitation basket for approved individuals will range from NIS 7,300 (($1968) to NIS 30,000 ($8,089).
While the aid package is intended primarily for Israeli citizens affected in southern Israeli border communities, there are tens of thousands of other Israelis who have been evacuated from their homes in northern Israel due to ongoing attacks from the Iranian-backed terror proxy, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Many of those citizens have lost their income as a result of being displaced due to the ongoing attacks. Northern residents have for months urged the government to intervene and remove the Hezbollah threat.
The United States and France have attempted to negotiate a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah, however, the terror group, continues attacking northern Israeli communities and the IDF has continued to respond by targeting Hezbollah forces and military sites in Lebanon.
Addressing his Cabinet on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the current threat from Hezbollah against northern Israel is untenable.
“The current situation will not continue,” Netanyahu vowed. “I have visited the north. I am attentive to the residents of the north. I speak with them and with the heads of local authorities in the north, I see their distress. I hear their anguish.”
The ongoing multifront war which passed the 11-month mark is the second longest in Israel’s modern history after the country’s War of Independence in 1948. While it is unclear when the war will end, it is already by far the most expensive war in Israel’s modern history.
In early June, Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron estimated that the war could cost Israel $67 billion during the period from 2023 to 2025, which includes both military and civilian expenses as a result of the conflict.
“The government needs to make sure that it makes the right balances and budget adjustments in light of growing permanent security expenses,” Yaron urged.
