Shira
Shira is a newly approved Israeli city in Judea and Samaria, situated along Route 5 east of Rosh HaAyin. Spanning approximately 9,500 dunams, the city is planned to accommodate tens of thousands of housing units and an eventual population of at least 100,000 residents.
Shira represents a significant expansion of Israeli communal presence in the strategic corridor of western Samaria. Approved by the Israeli government in early September 2026, the city is designed to serve as a major urban center, bridging the gap between the central coastal plain and the communities of the Samarian interior. The project is situated on approximately 9,500 dunams of land along Route 5, a primary east-west artery that connects the Tel Aviv metropolitan area to the heart of Judea and Samaria.
The establishment of Shira is a cornerstone of a broader strategic initiative led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to strengthen Israeli sovereignty and national resilience through large-scale residential development. With a projected capacity for tens of thousands of housing units, the city is expected to eventually house over 100,000 residents, making it one of the largest Israeli urban centers in the region. This development is framed by proponents as a vital response to housing demand in central Israel and a means of ensuring a permanent Israeli presence in areas of high security and historical importance.
From a security perspective, the location of Shira along Route 5 provides a strategic depth to the Rosh HaAyin area and the wider Gush Dan region. By developing a major urban hub in this specific sector, the government aims to create a continuous belt of Israeli residency that reinforces the security of the country's narrow 'waistline.' While the project has drawn attention from international observers, the Israeli government maintains that the development of Shira is a legitimate exercise of administrative authority and a necessary step for the long-term growth and stability of the State of Israel.