A look at Israel's mass evacuation plan
Ministers to discuss plan for evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Israelis to Eilat, Arava area in case of missile attack
The Ministerial Committee on Home Front Affairs is set to discuss a plan for a mass evacuation in the event of a missile attack next week. According to the plan, entire cities will be moved to southern Israel around Eilat and the Arava area.
One source at the Home Front Protection Ministry said that towns near Ariel may also serve as temporary evacuation centers.
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The plan also applies to cases of natural disasters at the national level and is a reworking of one of Israel's contingency plans.
According to the plan, citizens of central and northern Israel will be housed in schools, educational establishments and even boarding schools, bed and breakfasts and hotels in cases of national emergency.
The Housing Ministry will prepare a plan for the establishment of temporary housing facilities including tents and caravans. Local councils acting as hosts will provide for the evacuees for a period of one week and each family will receive a NIS 150 (roughly $39) allowance from the Finance Ministry.
IDF drill simulating missile attack (Photo: Eli T)
Evacuees will also receive transportation and security services. Four toilet stalls and three showers will be allocated for groups of 100. Evacuees will also receive laundry services and each child will be given NIS 100 (roughly $26) for school supplies.
Home Front Protection Minister Matan Vilnai said that after a briefing from the national security adviser, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu green-lighted the plan. It will be introduced at various government ministers after being approved by the ministerial committee.
The plan is estimated to cost hundreds of millions of shekels.
"I have spoken to council heads in the Eilat district and they appreciate the importance of hosting residents of central and northern Israel at times of emergency," Vilnai told Ynet.
"One must keep in mind that countries will agree to help us and send portable housing units at times of massive natural disasters such as earthquakes or fires but I doubt this will be the case during a war."
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