Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz will submit an aid package worth approximately 190 million shekels for Sderot and the communities in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip to the cabinet on Sunday. The aid package is in addition to NIS 150 million already approved for the structural reinforcement of educational institutions.

Under the program, local authorities will receive special grants in order to deal with the consequences of the security situation as well as for expansion. Local residents and businesses will continue to receive local-tax-rate discounts and extensions on 20-percent personal income tax discounts. In order to encourage newcomers, exemptions on rents in the area will also be extended to the end of the year.

The activity of five centers that offer psychological and social services will continue on their present footing.  Emergency medical services for area communities will continue.