Reconstruction starts on Zikim Beach for the first time since October 7

Reconstruction from the October 7 attack has begun on Zikim Beach, located just south of Ashkelon. 

Zikim Beach was one of the primary targets for Hamas terrorists on October 7, with a combined land and sea attack on the beach and nearby kibbutz. 

Subsequent to the raid, around 20 people were killed on the beach, and beach facilities were completely destroyed.

Work began on Thursday to demolish the damaged facilities in order to lay the groundwork for rebuilding them, according to a statement by the local Ashkelon Regional Council.

Reconstruction and renewal 

The Tkuma ("Rebirth") Administration, which is responsible for reconstruction following October 7, allotted some NIS 4 million for beachside construction work out of NIS 15 million allotted to the Ashkelon Regional Council this past week.

“Today we started the demolition work and the rebuilding of this beautiful and special beach, Zikim Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Israel,” said Ashkelon Regional Council head Itamar Revivo. 

“The beach is not only a place of recreation. It also has aspects of community and mental resilience that we all need these days. It is important to note that, along with the renewal and upgrading, we will work to commemorate and remember the lives that were lost here on that cursed Shabbat and what happened here,” he said.

Revivo emphasized that “where the terrorist organizations wanted to kill and destroy, we will build a life and renew and upgrade the service to the residents of the council in general, and the residents of the Gaza area in particular.”