Israel's National Planning and Building Council approved on Jan. 5 plans to establish a new Jewish community near the border with Gaza. The new locality — a mixed secular and religious village — has been given the placeholder name Hanoun, after the river that flows nearby. The project still needs government approval.
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked tweeted, "Continuing to make history in the Negev. Congratulations to Sdot Negev Regional Council on the approval of the new 'Hanoun' locality that will accommodate 500 new families. [Israel’s first Prime Minister David] Ben-Gurion's vision is coming true before our very eyes, and is more relevant today than ever before. The establishment of the new locality not only goes in line with the needs of the housing market, but first and foremost fulfills the Zionist dream and strengthens the Gaza envelope region."
