Data released by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Sunday revealed that Tel Aviv and Haifa witnessed the highest numbers of settlers leaving the occupied territories in 2024, with the former leading the trend.

More than 11,000 settlers left Tel Aviv last year, nearly twice as many as any other city in occupied Palestine. Haifa ranked second, with 5,983 departures, followed by Umm Khalid with 5,370 and occupied al-Quds with 5,037. Other regions that saw significant settler emigration included Bat Yam, Rishon Lezion, Ashdod, and Ramat Gan.

The CBS data show that approximately 40,000 men and 38,000 women left the occupied territories during 2024. Young adults aged 20-39 accounted for the largest group (40%), while 28% were aged 40-69. Children and adolescents comprised 27% of those leaving, and only 5% were over the age of 70.

Impact of the war on Gaza

The October 2023 war on Gaza triggered a surge in departures, with 14,816 settlers leaving that month alone—more than double the monthly average of 7,145 for the rest of the year.

The northern territories were particularly impacted as heightened tensions along the borders drove significant numbers of settlers to abandon these areas. 

Earlier today, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and MK Ze'ev Elkin announced that March 1 has been designated as the target date for northern settlers to return to their homes, following months of fleeing due to the recent war on Lebanon.

The return is coupled with a series of financial incentives aimed at encouraging northern settlers to move back.

However, settlers remain wary of persistent security risks, limited infrastructure rehabilitation, and the potential for renewed conflict in the region. Many are questioning whether the financial benefits will adequately address the underlying instability that prompted their initial departure.

Trust in IOF eroded

Speaking to Israeli news website Maariv on Sunday, David Azoulay, head of the Metula Settlement Council, expressed concerns about the deteriorating security situation in northern "Israel" and the growing distrust in the military, particularly in light of what he described as the "poor agreement with Lebanon."

"More than half of the council's homes were damaged during the war, with some completely destroyed," Azoulay said, stressing that the settlement urgently needs "robust infrastructure to attract new residents to replace those who will not return."

Read more: Upper al-Jalil council chief urges return of Israeli settlers to north

Azoulay, who has served in his role for nearly a decade and is a former military officer, pointed out that public trust in the [Israeli] military has eroded significantly since October 7, 2023.

He said that there remains a lack of confidence in the Israeli military, particularly in intelligence capabilities, even with its actions in Lebanon.