Plans to establish two new Jewish communities and six agricultural farms in the southern Chevron Hills have been announced following a deadly terror attack that claimed the lives of two IDF soldiers.

The initiative, announced by the Har Chevron Regional Council, is being presented by local officials as a response to the October 23 shooting and an effort to strengthen the Jewish presence and security infrastructure in the region.

According to Israeli media reports, the two proposed communities are Magad, located between Negohot and Eshkolot, and Nofei Gulot, between Otniel and Afeka.

The six planned agricultural farms are Mitzpe Tzur, Noi, Lev Amit, Eshel, Lema'an Achai and Mitzpe Or.

The regional council says the initiative is being advanced in cooperation with the Defense Ministry's Settlement Administration and the Amana movement, which supports the establishment and development of Jewish communities in Yehudah and Shomron.

The announcement follows Friday's deadly shooting attack in the Chevron area, in which two IDF soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.

The fallen soldiers were identified as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon.

Their deaths prompted mourning throughout Eretz Yisroel and renewed discussion among regional officials about security measures and the future development of communities in the area.

Officials from the Har Chevron Regional Council described the proposed expansion as an effort to reinforce existing communities, improve connections between them and establish a stronger presence across the southern Chevron Hills.

The planned agricultural farms are intended to form part of that broader development strategy, according to the council.

The announcement also comes amid continuing debate over construction and settlement policy in Yehudah and Shomron, where new community initiatives can face legal, administrative and political challenges.

Although the regional council has announced the eight proposed sites and reported cooperation with relevant organizations, final planning approvals, building permits and construction timelines have not been independently confirmed.

The proposal therefore remains an announced development initiative rather than a completed expansion.

For residents of the Chevron Hills, the announcement comes at a painful time, as the region continues to mourn the two soldiers killed in Friday's attack.

Local officials have framed the initiative as a way to respond to the tragedy through further community development, while the practical steps required to establish the proposed sites remain to be determined.