For decades, the IDF’s core infrastructure has been concentrated in the central Gush Dan region.
By Hezy Laing
In a landmark reshaping of Israel’s defense and development strategy, the IDF is undertaking a historic relocation of many of its bases and units to the Negev region, particularly around Beersheba and Yeruham.
This ambitious move goes beyond military logistics—it signals a sweeping transformation of Israel’s southern periphery and a national effort to fulfill David Ben-Gurion’s vision of making the Negev a vibrant center of Israeli life.
The relocation aims to strengthen the Negev’s economy, reduce regional disparities, and establish a cutting-edge military-academic-industrial ecosystem anchored in Beersheba.
Backed by a $5.7 billion military investment and a broader $8.2 billion development plan, the move is unlocking new potential for southern Israel and addressing overcrowding in central areas.
For decades, the IDF’s core infrastructure has been concentrated in the central Gush Dan region—including Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and Ramat Gan.
Now, key bases such as Camp Tzrifin, Camp Mota Gur, Camp Sha’arei Avraham, and Camp Dotan are being consolidated at the newly built Camp Ariel Sharon in Yeruham, also known as the City of Training Bases.
In parallel, the headquarters of Intelligence Unit 8200 is moving from Herzliya to a newly constructed Intelligence Campus near Shoket Junction.
Camp Rabin’s administrative headquarters in Tel Aviv is being redistributed among various facilities throughout the Negev.
This massive shift will unlock approximately $21.7 billion in high-value real estate in central Israel, enabling the construction of 60,000 to 100,000 new apartments and significantly expanding housing and commercial opportunities.
Planning for this transformation began over 15 years ago, with key decisions taken between 2007 and 2011 to transfer IDF training and intelligence operations to the South.
In 2012, the Ministry of Defense established the Relocation Administration to oversee the project.
Between 2016 and 2020, tenders were issued for the Intelligence Campus near Shoket Junction and for the construction of the Ariel Sharon base in Yeruham, as well as the C4I Directorate’s base in Beersheba.
Today, the C4I Complex in Beersheba is fully operational, and by 2027, the Intelligence Campus near Lakiya—housing elite units like Unit 8200, Unit 81, and Unit 5044—is slated to reach full readiness.
The IDF’s southern migration reflects a bold national reimagining—one that intertwines military modernization with regional revitalization, positioning the Negev as a pivotal cornerstone of Israel’s future.
