The government approved benefits totaling about 3.2 billion shekels for rehabilitation, development and strengthening of civil and economic resilience in southern Israel, as part of efforts to deal with the consequences of the October 7 attack. The government approved two strategic decisions to strengthen and develop the city of Ashkelon, a government decision worth about 1.4 billion shekels, and a comprehensive government plan for the development of the Western Negev. The decision concerns six main municipalities: Ofakim, Netivot, Merchavim, Eshkol, Sha'ar HaNegev and Sdot Negev, and includes a budget of about 1.8 billion shekels for the years 2025-2029.