Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Tuesday announced the government approved an extra NIS 13 billion ($4.5 billion) to strengthen the war-battered north, following a “special meeting” on the subject that nearly all ministers skipped.

Hailing the “dramatic decisions,” Netanyahu said the money would go toward developing the area within nine kilometers from the Lebanon border, including reinforcing structures amid frequent attacks by Hezbollah, though he stressed that adding bomb shelters cannot be the only step.

The premier added the government’s goal was to attract 100,000 new residents to the area by improving health, transport, education and tourism infrastructure as well as job opportunities.

“People will flock to the north. I said the same about the south,” Netanyahu said, referring to communities close to Gaza that were devastated by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

“Today there is very strong demand there; there is tremendous growth and flourishing — and that is what will happen here as well.”

Addressing the persistent threat of Hezbollah........

© The Times of Israel