(IsraelNN.com) The government has continued efforts to ease life for the rocket-battered south. On Sunday and Monday, ministries revealed their plans to provide benefits for those living within rocket range of Hamas-controlled Gaza. Private citizens began new initiatives as well.

10 Points on Bagrut Tests
Education Minister Yuli Tamir announced Monday that her ministry would grant an additional 10 points on the Bagrut (high school diploma) exam grades of students living in cities targeted by terrorist rocket fire. The students will receive extra time to take their tests as well.

Until Monday, schools located within 40 kilometers of Gaza were closed due to the risk of attack. Many of the students missed weeks of class at a time, while their fellow students living elsewhere in the country were cramming for the exams, which are crucial for those wishing to continue their education after high school.

Students and parents welcomed Tamir's announcement, but some warned that if schools did not open again soon, an extra 10 points would not be enough to compensate for the lost study time. Even when schools are open, many students find themselves unable to concentrate due to stress and trauma, they added.

Reservists, Residents of South Can Delay Tax Payment
The Finance Ministry announced Monday that residents of the south and those called to serve in IDF reserve units would be allowed to push off their tax payments. Anyone living in an area where the Homefront Command has declared a “special situation” will not be fined for late tax payments, officials said.

Ministry to Pay for Hurt Pets
The Ministry of Agriculture, for its part, will pay to heal pets wounded in rocket attacks. Many animals have been injured or killed in the attacks, including dogs and cats, as well as cows, chickens and other farm animals.

Dogs and cats were previously not considered “property,” and therefore residents of the south whose pets were injured were not compensated for veterinary treatment.

In addition to paying for the treatment of pets, the ministry may pay to treat stray animals in the south hurt by rocket fire.

Halls Urged to Give Refunds
The Ministry of Trade and Labor sent a message Monday urging owners of event halls in the south to refund customers who planned events in the area before terrorists began firing on all cities within 40 kilometers of Gaza. Public gatherings have been banned by the Homefront Command due to the ongoing rocket attacks, leaving would-be celebrants unable to hold their events at the planned locations.

Customers who planned to hold events in the south but are now unable to do so, through no fault of their own, should be allowed to escape their contracts and reserve a spot in a different hall, officials said.

Tel Aviv Hosts Fair
The city of Tel Aviv pitched in to help the south as well, hosting a fair on Sunday for vendors living near Gaza. The city has hosted similar events in the past. Local businesses provided discounts to residents of cities under rocket fire.

Malls and shopping centers in Rishon L'Tzion and Jerusalem have hosted southern vendors as well.

Free Dental Care in Jerusalem
The staff in the dentistry department at Hebrew University's Ein Karem campus have offered to help in their own way. The school will be providing free basic dental care to residents of the Gaza Belt area who are staying in Jerusalem.

The free care will be provided on the Ein Karem campus.