The Ariel Municipality held a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Amirim neighborhood, marking the launch of the Ariel West development. The project, supported by the Ministries of Finance, Construction and Housing, and Aliyah and Integration, represents the first expansion of the city beyond its current boundaries.

Mayor Yair Chetboun said the development is part of a broader agreement to build 12,000 housing units and ultimately triple the city’s size. The new neighborhood is aimed at young families and will include subsidized housing programs, self-build lots, and homes for reservists, along with plans to expand the industrial zone for high-technology industries.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the city is expected to grow from 22,000 residents to 80,000 within a decade, calling the expansion a historic step. Regional leaders added that the growth would strengthen communities across Judea and Samaria and attract thousands of new families.