Just one day after the devastating attacks of October 7 sent shockwaves through Israeli society, the tremors of violence rippled northward as Hezbollah rockets shattered the tranquility of the northern region. Suddenly, 68,500 northern residents – young families, seniors, farmers and business owners – became refugees in their own country. Now, as a fragile ceasefire offers a measure of hope, these communities are determined to return and rebuild.

But the road home is daunting: shuttered businesses, widespread trauma, a weakened educational system, vulnerable seniors reluctant to move back, unresolved compensation disputes, and once-thriving farmlands and natural habitats now lie scorched and polluted. As of March 2025, only 42% (29,000) of the evacuees from 43 northern communities have returned home. * Many are still weighing their options, citing security, employment, healthcare, and education as primary concerns.

In the wake of this profound disruption, the University of Haifa has launched the Home Again Campaign to support a bold and vital mission: harnessing the power of science and research to help rebuild northern Israel.

Drawing on our deep roots in the region and commitment to community-centered innovation, University scholars are transforming data-driven insights into real-world solutions—restoring lives, healing landscapes, and strengthening society. Each initiative within the campaign serves as an interlocking building block, reinforcing and amplifying the strength of the whole.