A budget of approximately NIS 1.2 billion has been allocated as part of an agreement signed this morning by the Ministry of Defense, Home Front Command, and the Ministry of Finance. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Defense’s “Northern Shield” administration is preparing to build 1,700 safe rooms in border-adjacent towns.
By Nadlan Center
The Ministry of Defense and Home Front Command signed an agreement this morning (Sunday) with the Ministry of Finance to allocate approximately NIS 1.2 billion for the construction of 10,000 safe rooms (Mamadim) in towns located 1-5 km from the Lebanese border under the “self-realization” track. This agreement will allow residents of 28 affected towns to build a safe room in their homes without requiring a permit, with a grant of 132,000 shekels provided by the state.
The new track will open to residents in April 2025, and the grant process will be managed by the “Northern Shield” administration within the Ministry of Defense.
The agreement was signed by the Commander of the Home Front Command, Major General Rafi Milo, Deputy Director General and Head of the Engineering and Construction Department at the Ministry of Defense, Erez Cohen, the Chief Financial Advisor to the IDF Chief of Staff (CAF), Brigadier General Gil Pinchas, and Deputy Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance, Ali Bing.
Simultaneously, it was announced that the “Northern Shield” administration in the Ministry of Defense’s Engineering and Construction Department and the Home Front Command had completed preparations to construct approximately 1,700 new safe rooms in 21 towns within 1 km of the border. “Recently, the process of obtaining permits and recruiting contractors was completed. Construction is expected to begin shortly,” stated a joint announcement from the Ministries of Defense and Finance. It was also noted that “the new safe rooms will join hundreds of safe rooms whose construction has been completed in recent months, even amidst the fighting in Lebanon.”
Major General Rafi Milo, Commander of the Home Front Command: “This agreement is a genuine breakthrough for the fortification efforts in northern communities. Allocating resources while removing bureaucratic barriers will enable the rapid establishment of safe rooms and additional security measures in these towns. The Home Front Command will continue working to strengthen the security of Israeli citizens in collaboration with local authorities and government ministries.”
Erez Cohen, Deputy Director General and Head of the Engineering and Construction Department at the Ministry of Defense: “The agreement signed this morning enables the ‘Northern Shield’ administration in the Ministry of Defense, together with the Home Front Command, to implement the government decision and expand fortification works within 5 km of the border. In this new track, residents can independently expedite the process and quickly move to execution, benefiting from state financial support. This is in addition to the fortification work we are already carrying out in many towns along the border.”
