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IDF to establish army-run towns on Gaza border

The plan is similar to how the Nahal brigade established settlements and built agricultural communities.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The IDF is creating military-manned communities along Israel’s southern border with Gaza to increase the security for residents, Ynet reports.

The plan is similar to how the Nahal brigade established settlements and built agricultural communities which eventually were placed in the control of civilians with military supervision.

So far, the military has planned three such communities which will include at least 30 soldiers stationed to provide security and other services such as agricultural assistance, social services, and education.

The location of the communities will depend on the needs of those evacuees who wish to return.

In addition to settlements on the southern border, the military is also planning a similar program in the north to accommodate those who want to return home.

Since October 7th, 200,000 Israelis have been evacuated from the northern and southern borders, with many of them living in hotels that have opened their doors to accommodate them during the crisis.

Many evacuees report that they don’t know when they will feel it is safe to return home, VOA news reports.

Or Amar Ashush said, “We don’t have anywhere to go back to right now… one can guarantee they won’t cross the border again.”

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She added, “In our case, they came on hang gliders by air and no one can promise that won’t happen again.”

Many evacuees fled their homes during the October 7th invasion with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Volunteers around the country mobilized to donate clothing, toys, and household items for the evacuee centers.

In the hotels, evacuees are given three meals and day, and children have been allowed to attend local schools with pre-school programs and recreation activities inside the hotels.

Although many of their present needs are provided for, many evacuees feel stress living together in small accommodations and express that they wish to return home if they could feel safe.