Approximately 56,000 young adults, aged 18–34, lived in the northern border communities of Israel bordering on Lebanon when the Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7, 2023. Soon after, about half of these young adults were evacuated or left their homes of their own accord. The ongoing state of emergency, involving the evacuation of residents for an unknown period and the need to rehabilitate the area, caused a sudden and major disruption of everyday life, with serious psychological, social, and economic effects on both the evacuees and those who remained.
This study was conducted a few weeks before the end of the government’s most recent extension of the evacuation period, and at the time of this writing (March 2025) preparations were being made for the return of the residents to their homes and the rehabilitation of the region. In addition to the tasks already assigned to the relevant government ministries and the “Tenufa Latzafon” (Momentum for the North) plan’s administrative division, it is essential to identify the unique needs of young people and their communities in order to tailor the rehabilitation efforts to their needs and increase the likelihood of their return. The study examined the situation of young adults from the northern border area about 15 months after the outbreak of the war and was conducted at the request of the Youth Authority in the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, with the assistance of the Regional Knowledge Center, East Galilee. The study was based on an online questionnaire completed by 216 young adults.
The findings of the study reveal the impact of the war on young residents of the North due to the ongoing state of emergency and the evacuation of many of them from their homes. These young adults experienced a significant and prolonged disruption of their everyday lives, psychological harm, and a weakening of their sense of resilience. They expressed helplessness, fear for the future, and a feeling of uncertainty, which may prevent their return to the North or reduce the chances of them remaining there. To encourage the growth of young communities and the return of young adults to the North, a comprehensive understanding of their needs and of the areas which are important to them is needed, such as the development of employment opportunities and of the infrastructure and high-quality services in education, health, culture and leisure, and transportation. Efforts must also be made to rebuild their trust in the state and its representatives, among others, through their involvement in the community rehabilitation processes.
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