Hundreds of public housing residences have been damaged by Iranian missiles and falling shrapnel since the start of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, the Construction and Housing Ministry stated last week.
At the time, the ministry noted that approximately 140 units had been damaged since the war began, with restoration having begun on at least 60 of them. This number has likely since increased, given confirmed hits since the ministry's statement.
At least four properties were also completely destroyed, per the ministry's statement.
Approximately 3,500 Israeli civilians have been evacuated from their homes, according to data published by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) on Sunday.
"Public housing is a critical pillar in the social resilience of the State of Israel, especially during times of war. Our commitment is to ensure that no resident is left without a proper and safe roof over their head," Construction and Housing Ministry Director-General Yehuda Morgenstern said.
"I have instructed all professional bodies to work within short timeframes, reduce bureaucracy, and invest all the necessary resources so that restoration in the field will be carried out quickly and to the highest quality," he added.
"We are personally accompanying each family whose home has been damaged, from dealing with minor damages to finding alternative housing solutions for families whose homes were completely destroyed. In most of the apartments, restoration work has already begun, and we will continue to act with determination until every resident returns to a proper and safe home," director of the ministry's housing division, Netanel Lapidot, stated.
"Our field teams and the managing companies arrived at each damage site immediately after receiving security clearance. The goal is clear: to restore a sense of personal and physical security for the residents," Lapidot stated.
Pre-military volunteers assist in damaged homes to clean rubble in Beit Shemesh
Meanwhile, a group of volunteers from pre-military preparatory programs, supported by the Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund, arrived in Beit Shemesh to help clear rubble and damaged items from homes affected by recent attacks, according to a statement published last week.
During the operations, volunteers worked inside the apartments to carry out initial cleaning and remove rubble, including clearing out broken glass, removing damaged windows and tracks, and sealing openings with thick plastic sheeting and appropriate tools.
The volunteers assisted between five and ten homes on the first day of the operation, the statement noted.