Breaking Update
Half-Billion-Shekel Reform Expands State Support for Families of Fallen Soldiers
Israel's Knesset approves a NIS 500 million reform expanding support for families of fallen soldiers, raising orphanhood age to 30 and extending benefits.
Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee on Monday approved for second and third readings a sweeping amendment to the Families of Soldiers Who Died in the Campaign Law, significantly expanding benefits for IDF and security forces orphans, widows and bereaved parents.
The reform raises the age of orphanhood to 30, extends monthly benefits for orphans up to age 40, and provides new grants, personal accompaniment programs, mental health care without age limits, and assistance with education, housing and fertility treatments. The amendment is expected to cost around NIS 500 million ($156.3 million) in its first year.
