Home Front Command prepares for displaced civilians to return to Gaza border communities

The IDF’s Home Front Command is preparing to allow the return of displaced civilians from some Gaza border communities, beginning with those that are between four and seven kilometers from the Strip.

Communities up to seven kilometers from the Gaza border were evacuated following the October 7 onslaught.

The IDF believes rockets will continue to be launched from the Gaza Strip at the southern towns, and therefore nobody will be forced to return at this stage of the plan.

Those who wish to return to their communities will receive a small grant of NIS 200 for an adult and 100 NIS for a child.

Initially, residents of Mavki’im, Gvar’am, Dorot, Yachini, Bror Hayil — all of which are in the 4- to 7-kilometer zone — and Yad Mordechai, will be allowed to return to their homes.

Residents of Yad Mordechai, which is only some 3 kilometers from the border, asked to be allowed to return at this stage, according to the IDF.

The IDF will bolster the local security teams in the towns to which residents are returning, and soldiers will continue to protect the area.

The local security teams will be provided with better equipment, trained by the IDF, and considered civilians employed by the army, under the plan.

The IDF will also attempt to move artillery forces to different areas to cause less noise for the returning residents.

Communities in the 0- to 4-km zone, including the city of Sderot, may not return for some time longer, as many of the homes are damaged from the October 7 attack.