Gaza Envelope Population Surges Past Pre-War Levels Three Years After October 7
Three years after October 7, the Gaza envelope has seen a 10% demographic increase to 66,000 residents. The Tkuma Administration reports over 90% return rates and billions invested in regional reconstruction.
Three years after the October 7 attacks, the Tkuma Administration released an updated status report on Thursday, highlighting significant progress in reconstruction and accelerated demographic growth in the Gaza envelope communities. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, approximately 66,000 residents currently live in the region, about 5,000 more than on the eve of the attacks. This reflects a 10% increase and a growth rate 2.5 times the national average, supporting the strategic goal of doubling the area's population by 2033. Sderot remains the largest town in the region, with roughly 40,000 residents.
The overall return rate to the envelope communities currently exceeds 90%, joined by thousands of new residents who did not live in the area previously. During 2026, significant progress was made in the return of evacuated communities: over 96% of residents have returned to Kibbutz Kissufim, and at the end of last August, the return process began in Kibbutz Holit and Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Two additional communities are scheduled to return later after receiving a deferral period: residents of Be'eri are expected to begin returning in late December 2026 and complete the process by July 2027, while construction and rehabilitation work continue in Nir Oz ahead of a planned return in late August 2027.
Strategic Investments and Budget Allocation
Since its establishment, the administration has promoted a multi-year strategic plan totaling approximately 17 billion shekels. By the end of 2025, 11.6 billion shekels had been legally committed—about 67% of the five-year budget—with an additional 2.8 billion shekels slated for commitment in 2026. Direct investment in reconstruction and return efforts totals 3.178 billion shekels, of which 1.465 billion shekels went toward the physical reconstruction of the communities and 1.713 billion shekels were allocated for interim housing arrangements.
As part of the construction works, over 760 million shekels have actually been invested. The reconstruction budget for Kibbutz Be'eri stands at 473 million shekels, including new neighborhoods and the renovation of about 350 buildings. In Kfar Aza, the budget is 211 million shekels, covering the renovation of about 280 structures and the reconstruction of 98 housing units. Nir Oz received 232 million shekels for dozens of buildings and infrastructure rehabilitation, while Holit stands at about 57 million shekels, and Kissufim at about 85 million shekels alongside 9 million shekels for infrastructure.
Strengthening Civil Services and Growth Engines
Alongside construction work, extensive resources were allocated to develop growth engines and strengthen civil services in the Gaza envelope. In security, 880 million shekels were invested under the Ministry of Defense's "New Horizon" program to upgrade physical and technological security components, alongside 27.2 million shekels for personal security.
"Three years after October 7, our thoughts are first and foremost with the envelope residents who experienced the massacre of that day. We are committed to continuing to accompany them and create the conditions for them to recover, strengthen, and rebuild their lives here," said Tkuma Administration Head Aviad Friedman.
In education, about 1 billion shekels were invested in rehabilitating educational institutions, expanding emotional support responses, and local educational packages. Over 466 million shekels were allocated to healthcare, including the establishment of medical centers in Eshkol and Sderot, incentives for specialist physicians, and the opening of a night and weekend clinic in Eshkol. Additionally, 625 million shekels were invested in agriculture, 308 million shekels in welfare systems and rights realization, and hundreds of millions more went toward economic development, employment promotion, tourism, renewable energy, higher education, and strengthening local authorities.
