New Businesses Flourish in Gaza Envelope Post-October 7th

Three years after the October 7th massacre, the Western Negev region is experiencing a surge in entrepreneurship and demographic growth, with survivors, soldiers, and evacuees establishing new businesses as a response to trauma and destruction. These ventures, ranging from cafes and training centers to therapeutic services, emphasize community connection and deeper roots in the land.

One such entrepreneur is Noam Giv, who opened 'The Nature of Giv,' a pet supply and food store in Sha'ar HaNegev's industrial zone in February 2025. The store also features a petting zoo and emotional therapy rooms for children affected by the war. Giv, a Sderot resident, previously worked with a non-profit using animal interaction for children with emotional difficulties. Many animals from his former workplace at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they were killed or stolen, were adopted by him. His small apartment became a temporary animal shelter, leading to the idea for his current business, which he sees as a mission, offering much of his therapeutic work for free.

Across the region, approximately 100 new businesses have opened within the Eshkol Regional Council, according to Maayan Baram, deputy head of strategy. These include existing residents and newcomers, many driven by a spirit of innovation and a desire for rehabilitation. Doron Harel, a Sderot native, opened the "Cultura" cafe and roastery in Sderot in August 2025 with partners. The project, initially planned before the war, was delayed by their reserve duty and the looting of equipment. Harel views the cafe as crucial for his personal and community recovery, transforming it into a community hub that also functions as a wine bar in the evenings and employs nearly 20 people.

Rinat Levi, a former combat officer, established "From Student to Warrior," a combat fitness program for girls, in Sderot in September 2024. After serving in the Gaza border area and experiencing loss on October 7th, she chose to settle in Nir Am and build her home and family. Her program, initially offered online for free, quickly expanded physically and has since branched out to other cities. Levi notes a significant influx of young people into the region, despite ongoing trauma, stating that their choice to build lives and businesses is a powerful response to the events.

Government initiatives like TKUMUP, managed by the "Takuma" administration, are supporting these entrepreneurs with grants and professional guidance. The Western Negev, specifically the "Takuma" region within 7 km of the Gaza border, now has about 66,000 residents, a 10% increase since before October 7th, with return rates exceeding 90%. Other new ventures include a beach tennis club in Telami Yosef, a mobile cafe in Kibbutz Gevim, a sandwich bar in Sderot, and a new Aroma Israel branch in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which serves as a memorial for fallen employees and soldiers.