Netivot Returns to High Court Over Unfulfilled Gaza War Reconstruction Funds

The city of Netivot has filed a new petition with the High Court of Justice, accusing the Israeli government of failing to implement a promised reconstruction and development plan for communities impacted by the October 7th Hamas attack and the subsequent war. The city, located about 8 kilometers from the Gaza border, argues that despite being recognized as having suffered significant damage, it is not receiving its fair share of the allocated funds.

Netivot was not included in the "Hovel Tkuma" (Resilience Zone) which was defined as areas within 7 kilometers of the Gaza border. However, the city experienced hundreds of rocket attacks and dozens of destruction sites during the war. Three residents were killed in direct hits on their homes on October 7th, with 11 more deaths occurring later in the conflict. Hundreds of residents have also sought psychological assistance, with the number of children receiving emotional treatment doubling.

In response to an earlier petition, the government established a support framework for communities outside the Hovel Tkuma. In August 2025, Government Decision 3303 was approved, allocating approximately 1.8 billion shekels for 2025-2029 to 25 communities, including Netivot. The plan was intended to address the severe impact of the war.

However, Netivot's mayor, Yehiel Zohar, claims the decision is not being implemented as intended. Despite Netivot comprising about half the population of the included communities, it is reportedly receiving only a quarter, or even less, of the budget in some categories. For instance, for the renovation and equipping of public institutions, the city is eligible for up to 1 million shekels out of an annual 4 million shekel allocation. Other budgets, such as for welfare in 2025, have not been transferred or made accessible.

Government ministries have responded that the decision did not define the size of the municipality as the sole criterion for fund distribution, citing additional professional considerations. The Ministry of Welfare stated that the timing of the decision's approval prevented the full utilization of the 2025 budget, and requests to transfer the remaining funds to subsequent years were denied.

This is not Netivot's first legal battle over reconstruction funds. The city filed its initial petition in February 2024 demanding inclusion in the Hovel Tkuma. That petition was withdrawn in October 2025 after the additional assistance plan was approved, with the High Court noting that the requested relief was "largely met" and ordering the state to pay costs. The city is now returning to court to demand the implementation of the already-approved decision.