Over 700,000 NIS was invested in the project, which will enable the children of the region to receive treatments in various fields, due to the difficulties, challenges, and sometimes distress experienced by the residents of the envelope following the events of October 7 and the war that followed them.
A special solidarity delegation from Belgium arrived at the ceremony, led by the president of KKL Belgium, Jacky Benzennou, deputy chairman of KKL-JNF Robert Tiviev, as well as the acting head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, Yossi Keren, who replaced Ophir Libstein, who was murdered during the events of Black Shabbat. As part of the ceremony, an olive tree was planted, symbolizing the connection between KKL-JNF and the council's residents, and the desire to foster hope in a place where horrific acts and slaughter occurred.
The delegation from Belgium, which attended the ceremony, visited the village of Gaza earlier today and witnessed the ruins following the slaughter closely, and lit memorial candles in the Nova complex in Re'im. In addition, the delegation will visit the captives' square, the Resilience Center in Sderot, volunteer in agriculture at Kibbutz Mefalsim, participate in volunteering for soldiers, and visit wounded soldiers at Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.
In order to allow for optimal treatment among the children and adolescents, the therapeutic complexes will be led by professional therapists from various fields in environments allowing for a supportive and pleasant framework for psychological and health strengthening. The treatments available include music and art therapy, emotional and psychological counseling, alternative medical treatment, and areas for relaxation and conversation.
President of KKL-JNF Belgium, Jacky Benzennou: "I want to thank KKL-JNF Israel for the initiative. Since October 7, I've been pondering how we, as Jews in the diaspora, can help and support. It is a great honor for me to stand here on behalf of KKL Belgium, and we take pride in being able to assist. We are one, you have someone to rely on.
Deputy Chairman of KKL-JNF, Robert Tiviev: "We meet today to express gratitude to the kind donors from KKL Belgium who are an example of brotherhood and mutual responsibility and at the same time, to strengthen the residents of Sha'ar Hanegev, who are at the forefront of the effort to rehabilitate the Gaza envelope. KKL-JNF has been operating a wide range of projects to support the residents and the affected communities since the beginning of the war. One of our central missions is to ensure the wellbeing of the children and adolescents who were affected by the events of October 7 and during the war. I am full of hope that we will continue to strengthen our relationship with KKL Belgium and together create real change for the coming generations."
Acting Head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, Yossi Keren: "We are in the midst of a bloody war. We lost dear friends, including the head of the council, we lost entire families, men, women and children were kidnapped from us, some returned, and some are still there and the State of Israel has the responsibility to return them. Amidst all the pain, we received a real ray of light - the embrace and assistance of the Jewish communities around the world. I want to thank our dear friends from KKL-JNF for their support, so that Shaar HaNegev will get back on its feet for a better future."