Recent Israeli media reports have unveiled extensive details about the sheer magnitude of damage inflicted on residential and commercial properties nationwide following the Iranian missile barrage — a reality emerging in the aftermath of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
While a clearer picture of the losses is beginning to take shape, Israel’s military censorship still prohibits the full publication of information about many targeted sites, according to the Palestinian Centre for Israeli Studies (Madar).
In a segment on Israel’s Channel 13, journalist Raviv Drucker acknowledged that numerous strategic locations were hit—sites that, as he put it, “we still don’t talk about to this day” for reasons “everyone watching at home understands.” He added that there are still other unknown sites yet to be revealed.
Shockwaves Across Entire Neighbourhoods
A comprehensive report by three Haaretz journalists confirmed that the shockwaves from Iran’s heavy missiles could be felt far and wide wherever they struck. The damage spanned hundreds of meters, impacting hundreds — if not thousands — of apartments. Some suffered collapsed walls and destroyed drywall barriers, while others endured lighter damage such as shattered windows, broken door frames, and ruined furniture.
Residents across multiple cities shared a common fate: those “unlucky enough” to live where a missile landed cannot return to their homes for the foreseeable future and are expected to feel the physical and psychological aftershocks for months and years to come.”
Mass Demolitions to Remove ‘Painful Scars’
The report noted that most municipalities are racing to demolish severely damaged buildings as quickly as possible — sometimes within just days — citing safety risks of structural collapse and the need to “remove the painful scar from the heart of a residential neighbourhood.”
Detailed figures illustrate the scale of destruction in different areas:
- Tel Aviv: Around 480 buildings were damaged, including 20 with severe structural destruction across five impact sites.
- Ramat Gan: 237 buildings damaged in three areas, with 10 seriously affected.
- Bat Yam: 78 buildings hit by a single direct strike, 22 of which are marked for total demolition.
- Rishon LeZion: 200 buildings damaged, 10 of them severely.
- Rehovot: Approximately 135 buildings suffered damage, with 20 facing major repairs.
- Tamra: Five buildings heavily damaged and another 70 with moderate or minor damage.
- Haifa: Four buildings sustained severe damage, while 60 others had moderate or minor impacts.
- Holon: Five buildings suffered serious structural damage, with 70 more affected to a lesser extent.
Tens of Thousands of Properties Affected
A report by Davar revealed that the true extent of the devastation is still unfolding. Israel’s Property Tax Authority has already opened about 33,000 files related to building damage, alongside 4,450 claims for damage to household contents and equipment, and 4,119 claims for damaged vehicles. Authorities estimate that thousands of additional properties have yet to be officially reported.
Data indicates that about 26,000 cases were recorded in Israel’s central region, 12,000 in the south, 3,000 in the north, and 104 in the Jerusalem area.
The Tax Authority previously announced that nearly 11,000 people were evacuated to hotels due to their homes being destroyed, with another 4,000 residents leaving their homes voluntarily. Approximately 140 teams from the Compensation Fund — working alongside engineers and damage assessors — are evaluating the destruction in coordination with local municipalities.
Small Businesses Struggle to Survive
Small businesses, especially those reliant on daily operations, have been hit hard by the sudden halt in economic activity — a blow compounded by years of market volatility since the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, unlike the northern region and areas surrounding Gaza, there are currently no zones where residents are barred from returning for security reasons.
Record-Breaking Economic Impact
According to data presented by the Tax Authority to the Knesset’s Finance Committee, the economic impact of the latest conflict has far exceeded that of previous wars. Initial compensation claims are already estimated at 5 billion shekels (around USD 1.35 billion) — a figure expected to rise. By comparison, the payouts for previous conflicts totalled around 2.5 billion shekels (USD 675 million).
The Compensation Fund reportedly holds reserves of about 9.5 billion shekels (USD 2.57 billion). While these compensation payments do not directly impact the state’s core budget, the need for immediate cash flow could force the government to borrow.
A Growing Homeless Crisis
Despite the ceasefire, reports indicate that tens of thousands of Israelis have been forced to adapt to life without permanent shelter. According to Ynet, more than 30,000 homes have been damaged. Many displaced residents will soon leave the hotels provided as temporary shelters and move into alternative housing.
The Tax Authority has issued guidelines on eligibility for alternative housing, covering both homeowners and tenants in buildings declared unfit for living. Displaced residents are entitled to hotel accommodation for two weeks at the fund’s expense, or they may choose to stay with relatives and receive 4,000 shekels ($1,080 USD) for the same period. After two weeks, they can opt for substitute rentals, with the fund covering rent payments or providing direct cash payouts for those staying with family.
Limited Support for the Displaced
During a Knesset Interior Committee session, the Interior Ministry’s director general announced that affected local authorities would provide each displaced resident with 1,500 shekels ($405 USD) and an additional 500 shekels ($135 USD) to cover personal expenses — calling this an “initial response.” The Union of Local Authorities has requested an extra 5.1 million shekels ($1.37 million USD) in funding to bolster local manpower.
Meanwhile, the State Comptroller visited damaged sites and met with residents staying in hotels. In a message to ministries, he urged special treatment for elderly residents and people with disabilities and revealed a new report on emergency evacuation protocols for these vulnerable groups. He stressed that the destruction he witnessed highlights the scale of the danger, noting that his office has set up a dedicated helpline for complaints from affected residents.
