The Tekumah Directorate, responsible for the rehabilitation of the area in southern Israel bordering the Gaza Strip, reports that 23,522 children will start the new school year today.
Reflecting the return of most residents to the area following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, and some demographic growth, this figure is 1,763 (8 percent) higher than last year.
In the Eshkol Regional Authority, which suffered the most from the Hamas invasion, in which some 1,200 people were murdered and 251 kidnapped to Gaza and held hostage, the rise in the total number of students starting school is 22.5%.
Of this, there are 35% more children under the age of three, 5.5% more kindergarteners, and 17% more elementary school-age children, in a reflection of the return of families to the communities.
The authority does not provide the figures for the period prior to October 7, 2023.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 1, 2025
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