The Israeli government approved on Sunday an expanded plan to invest hundreds of millions of shekels in the economies of Gaza border communities (those within 7 km of the Strip).

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The proposal was consolidated by Harel Locker, the Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, in coordination with the finance, economy, interior, health, transportation, welfare, energy, and environmental protection ministries.

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The inter-ministerial plan includes a series of wide-ranging steps and is budgeted at over 400 million shekel for 2015-2016.

The plan includes, among other things, an extension of the tax benefits granted to residents of the communities adjacent to the Gaza border for 2015-2016.

Under these benefits, residents will receive a 20% income tax credit. The plan also allows for exemptions from Israel Land Authority leasing fees and a 30% discount in residential property tax.

As part of the package, the residents of communities near the Gaza border will also enjoy a 24% discount on property tax for industry, business, services, offices and agriculture.

In addition to these benefits, the Interior Ministry will transfer approximately NIS 31 million to local authorities in the Gaza envelope, in the form of a one-time grant.

Over the next two years, psychological and social support services at five local centers will be expanded for residents suffering from shock, especially children.

The government also approved the expansion of night medical services and the increase in the number of intensive care ambulances.

Other decisions include a 15% supplement in the allocation of foreign workers to the agricultural sector, a 25% supplement in financing for industrial research and development, investment in the development of the Sderot-Sha'ar Hanegev industrial zone, and the advancing of the construction of student dormitories in Sderot.