Israel Closes Tourism-Led Emergency Centre After Relocating 125,000 Evacuees

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has officially concluded its civilian emergency operations centre, marking the end of a major humanitarian effort launched during the Swords of Iron War. Initiated by Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, the centre played a crucial role in relocating and supporting over 125,000 evacuees in less than two years.

Established on 18 October 2023, with the assistance of the Israel Hotel Association, the centre was rapidly assembled and fully operational within days. In the first week alone, nearly 100,000 people were placed in hotels, with operations running 24/7 in its early stages.

At the peak of the effort, over 90,000 displaced civilians were housed in full-board accommodations across the country, with services including meals, cleaning, and laundry. The state invested more than ILS 7 billion in hotel stays, which not only supported evacuees but also helped preserve thousands of hospitality jobs impacted by the war-induced halt in tourism.

To offer flexibility, evacuees who preferred not to stay in hotels were granted daily subsistence support — ILS 200 per adult and ILS 100 per child, translating to ILS 18,000 monthly for a typical family of four. This community-based aid model later helped the government save an additional ILS 7 billion, compared to hotel accommodation costs.

Throughout its 628 days of operation, the centre managed a wide range of queries, from hotel transfers and family reunifications to special accommodation needs like pet admittance and weekend arrangements for returning soldiers. It also resolved over 13,000 disputes between evacuees and hotels.

The ministry is now compiling a comprehensive emergency evacuation protocol, informed by the insights gained during this period. This blueprint aims to prepare government and public systems for future complex displacement scenarios.

Though the centre has closed, the Ministry of Tourism will continue to handle pending administrative matters and ensure a smooth final transition.