Northern Shield Project Expands to Communities Within 9km of Lebanon Border

The Israeli government has approved an expansion of the "Northern Shield" project, which provides private home fortification, to include communities located up to 9 kilometers from the Lebanese border. This decision, based on a government resolution from June 2, 2026, aims to enhance protection for residents in front-line communities.

Under the self-implementation track, eligible homeowners can receive a grant of up to NIS 182,000 to build a protected space (Mamad) in their homes. The expansion also encompasses collective protection in multi-unit residential buildings, which will be managed by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Urban Renewal Authority. This aspect involves approximately 11,000 housing units with a budget of around NIS 4.2 billion.

Overall, the expansion is expected to result in the construction of over 15,000 Mamads in 89 communities, alongside the 11,000 housing units in collective buildings. This initiative builds upon existing efforts, including the ongoing construction of approximately 3,000 Mamads in communities within 1 kilometer of the border, more than half of which are already completed or nearing completion.

The government's investment in northern fortification also includes the completion of protective measures in over 335 educational institutions, the deployment of 1,600 additional protected shelters, and the renovation of more than 600 public bomb shelters. The Ministry of Defense and the Home Front Command will soon publish detailed criteria, a list of eligible communities, application procedures, and timelines for the grant program.