Gaza Border Region Population Surpasses Pre-October 7 Levels by 10%, Tekuma Directorate Reports

Israel's government Tekuma Directorate reported on Thursday, September 24, 2026 that the population of the Gaza border region (Tekuma area) has reached approximately 66,000 residents — about 10%, or roughly 5,000 people, above the pre-October 7, 2023 level of about 62,000 — with more than 90% of evacuated residents having returned and new families moving in, a growth rate the directorate said is 2.5 times the national average. Return rates vary by community: Kissufim has seen over 96% of residents return, Holit's returns began in late August, Kfar Aza's are expected in late September, and Be'eri's are expected between December 2026 and July 2027. The Tekuma Directorate, established October 19, 2023 under the Prime Minister's Office, has overseen a NIS 17 billion long-term recovery plan (including NIS 880 million for security, NIS 1 billion for education, and NIS 466 million for healthcare through end-2025) with a stated goal of doubling the region's population by 2033. 'Our mission is to create the conditions that will allow the region to continue rehabilitating, growing, and attracting new residents,' said Tekuma Directorate head Aviad Friedman.