Jerusalem, 12 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Ten families moved Thursday into a newly built neighborhood in Homesh in northern Samaria, marking the first permanent return of former residents to one of the communities evacuated during Israel’s 2005 disengagement.
The families, some of whom were removed from the area two decades ago, moved into homes in a new neighborhood known as Homesh B. The move follows legislative changes in 2025 that repealed parts of the Disengagement Law, allowing Israelis to return to the site in coordination with government authorities.
Homesh was one of four Jewish communities in northern Samaria — along with Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim — that were dismantled as part of the 2005 disengagement, which also saw Israel withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The inauguration ceremony drew several Israeli political and settlement leaders, including Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Struck, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, and Member of Knesset Yuli Edelstein.
Dagan, who was himself evacuated from the nearby settlement of Sa-Nur during the disengagement, described the return as the closing of a historic circle.
“Twenty years ago we were part of a terrible act of uprooting communities,” Dagan said. “Today justice is coming. We commit to building here forever.”
Dagan also suggested the move could lead to further development in the area.
“Those who did not want four communities in northern Samaria will receive ten, fifteen and in the future twenty communities,” he said. “We are winning and will win.”
The return of the families comes after years of political campaigning to overturn Restrictions on Israeli presence in the evacuated areas. Israeli lawmakers partially repealed the disengagement law in 2023, opening the door for renewed civilian activity at the site.
For some former residents, the moment carried deep personal significance. Benny Gal, who lived in Homesh before its evacuation, was among those attending the ceremony marking the return.
“For 21 years we waited, saved and fought for this day,” Gal said, his voice breaking with emotion. “Today the Israeli government is making a major public apology. Homesh is the first step toward a full return to northern Samaria.”
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