Israel evacuates army bases to clear land for new housing

The Israeli media has revealed that the Ministry of Defence and army chiefs have decided to evacuate military bases around the country to provide additional land for building housing units. The bases are located in central and northern areas of what Palestinians regard as the land occupied in 1948, now known as Israel.

According to the recent issue of the Hebrew-language economic magazine Globes, the first phase of the evacuation process will include the Alkarya military complex in Tel Aviv, which will free up about 9 acres of land. The base is expected to be evacuated by the end of next year. The evacuation of a 6-acre site in the north of the country is expected to begin shortly and a further two bases are earmarked for closure by the end of next year. One is relatively small and should accommodate 100 housing units, while the second is Sarafand Base, near Rishon Lezion, where over 100 acres is expected to accommodate 3,500 new homes.

Altogether, the closure of the bases will, it is claimed, provide almost 3,000 acres for new housing development.