Israel extends housing subsidies for north evacuees

Israel’s government has extended housing grants for Israeli evacuees and families of hostages by one month until the end of September, as the war drags on with no immediate end in sight.

Thousands of Israelis are still living in temporary housing as the war nears its 11th month. They have been displaced in the south by ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and in the north from Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The government said Monday that it was allocating nearly $900 million to those displaced from northern and southern border communities, as well as families of the hostages. It said the subsidies will include grants for displaced people who are unemployed and grants to “encourage employment.” It said it would set aside additional funds to pay for housing until the end of the year, if necessary.

Israel’s economy is struggling as the war stretches on, and the government is coming under increased pressure to cut spending.