Tekuma region population grows 10% past pre-October 7 levels as 90% of residents return
Alongside the return of residents who were evacuated, thousands of new residents have moved to the region since October 7.
In the Tekuma region, which includes Sderot, Eshkol, Sha ar HaNegev, Sdot Negev, and Chof, the population has surged to 66,000 residents - a 10% increase compared to the population on the eve of the October 7 massacre. This growth rate is nearly three times the national average and signifies that over 90% of the region's residents have returned to their homes. Sderot, the largest city in the area, now boasts a population of approximately 40,000.
The Tekuma Directorate aims to double the region's population by 2033. Reconstruction efforts are underway in all the evacuated communities, with the majority of residents already returned. In Kissufim, more than 96% of residents have returned, while Holit began seeing returns at the end of August. Kfar Aza's residents are expected to begin their return at the end of September, with Be eri's expected return commencing at the end of December and continuing through July 2027.
Reconstruction budgets for these communities range from NIS 473 million in B e eri to NIS 232 million in Nir Oz, with additional funding allocated for Holit (NIS 57 million) and Kfar Aza (NIS 211 million). The multi-year plan for the Tekuma region's rehabilitation and development totals approximately NIS 17 billion. As of June 2026, NIS 880 million had been invested in security, education, and healthcare, with further allocations planned.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
