Israel unveils £15m recovery package for Nova massacre survivors
New three-year programme will fund trauma care, addiction treatment and employment support for thousands affected by the 7 October attack
The Israeli government has approved a £15 million recovery package to expand long-term support for survivors of the Nova music festival massacre, including mental health care, addiction treatment and help returning to work.
The three-year programme, approved on Sunday, is intended to strengthen rehabilitation for survivors and their families. Around 3,600 Nova survivors have been officially recognised by Israel as victims of the Hamas-led massacre on 7 October 2023.
The package was developed by the Prime Minister’s Office with several government ministries following consultations with survivors, bereaved families and healthcare professionals.
According to Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS, the Health Ministry will receive around £2.8 million to expand emergency mental health services and trauma treatment, while the National Insurance Institute will receive £3 million over 2027 and 2028 for long-term support programmes.
Funding will also provide a dedicated government contact for every survivor to help coordinate treatment and access to benefits, alongside 45 new social workers in affected communities. A further £1 million has been allocated to support families caring for survivors, while around £825,000 will fund specialist programmes tackling trauma-related substance misuse.
The Labour Ministry and Israel’s Employment Service will receive around £1.25 million between them to help survivors return to work, while £750,000 will fund a new digital platform to improve access to services. A dedicated official in the Prime Minister’s Office will oversee the programme and report on its progress.
Welfare and Social Affairs Minister Chaim Katz said: “We are committed to providing party survivors with the therapeutic framework they need for optimal rehabilitation. The addition of 45 social workers in local authorities and the creation of a personalised support model will ensure that every survivor has an accessible and professional government point of contact without bureaucratic delays. We will continue to support survivors and their families with every tool at our disposal.”
Yinon Aharoni, Director-General of the Welfare Ministry, said the government was moving beyond the initial emergency response towards long-term recovery.
He said: “The professional work we conducted highlighted the need to transition from an initial emergency response to an organised, continuous, and personalised approach suited to the current stage. The new model will focus not only on survivors themselves, but also on strengthening the family unit and providing targeted treatment for trauma-related addictions, with the goal of improving both the service experience and the realisation of survivors’ rights.”
The Nova music festival was taking place near Kibbutz Re’im when Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Hundreds of festivalgoers were murdered, and dozens were taken as hostages into Gaza. Many survivors continue to receive treatment for severe psychological trauma, while others are also living with lasting physical injuries.