Choosing growth over despondency
The head of the Tekuma Administration, Aviad Friedman, describes in an opinion piece the two parallel tracks guiding the rehabilitation of the Gaza envelope three years after October 7: memory and pain alongside growth and rebuilding. He notes that over 90% of residents chose to return, and the goal is to double the population to 120,000 residents by 2033. Alongside highlights such as home renovations, inaugurations of new neighborhoods, and a tender for 3,000 housing units in Sderot, he also describes moments of deep pain, including reburials of the deceased and dealing with suicides.
The head of the Tekuma Administration, Aviad Friedman, writes an opinion piece describing the rehabilitation process in the Gaza envelope three years after the October 7 massacre. He presents two parallel tracks: one is memory and pain, including support for victims and reburials of the deceased; the other is growth and rebuilding. Friedman notes that over 90% of residents chose to return to their homes, and the goal is to double the population to 120,000 residents by 2033. He describes achievements such as renovating hundreds of homes, inaugurating new neighborhoods in Nahal Oz, Nirim, and Mefalsim, and a massive tender for 3,000 housing units in Sderot. Alongside this, he describes difficult moments of pain, including repeated funerals of the deceased and dealing with suicides of those who could not bear the pain. Friedman emphasizes the cooperation between Sderot and the regional councils, and the anchors of education, health, economy, and culture as the basis for the region's future. The article ends with a quote from the Book of Haggai and a statement that revival prevails.