EILAT — The Israeli government approved a five-year plan for the development of Eilat and the Eilot Regional Council on June 29, 2026. The plan carries a budget of NIS 360 million and is expected to involve around 20 government ministries.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced the proposal. "Eilat and the Eilot region are the southern pearl of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said. "During the war, we witnessed the mutual responsibility and extraordinary resilience of the region's residents, who opened their homes and absorbed tens of thousands of evacuees."

Netanyahu stated, "Today, we follow up with action, introducing a large-scale five-year plan that will invest in healthcare, transportation, education, tourism, employment, and infrastructure." He added, "This will enhance the residents' quality of life and establish Eilat as Israel's strong and prosperous southern gateway."

The initiative includes reinforcing healthcare services by improving the availability of medical services and attracting medical personnel to the area. Public services are scheduled for expansion, and the plan seeks to promote new growth engines within the region.

Infrastructural developments are a component of the plan, encompassing transportation and tourism. This includes an upgrade to the region's transport system, the development of Ramon Airport, and upgrades to educational and emergency preparedness infrastructures.

Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri said the plan "places Eilat in its rightful position within the national priorities." Lankri added, "The budgetary scope, the breadth of the solutions, and the cooperation of 20 government ministries all testify to the recognition of Eilat's importance to the future of the State of Israel, and to the understanding that a strong Eilat is, first and foremost, a national interest."