Ofakim
Ofakim (Hebrew: אֳפָקִים ʾŎfāqīm, or אוֹפָקִים ʾŌfāqīm, lit. "horizons") is a city in the Southern District of Israel, 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) west of Beersheba. It achieved municipal status in 1955. It has an area of 10,000 dunams (~3.9 sq mi; 10 km2). In 2021, it had a population of 33,999.
Ofaqim
אוֹפָקִים / אֳפָקִים افقيم | |
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Ofaqim Ofaqim | |
| Coordinates: 31°19′N 34°37′E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Founded | 19 April 1955 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Yitzhak Danino |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10,273 dunams (10.273 km2 or 3.966 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 34,666 |
| • Density | 3,400/km2 (8,700/sq mi) |
| Name meaning | Horizons |
| Website | http://www.ofaqim.muni.il |
Established as a development town in 1955, Ofakim was for many years a major textile manufacturing center. Outsourcing of textile manufacturing outside Israel caused economic stagnation, and Ofakim suffered high poverty and unemployment rates for many years. Since then, new factories have moved in, and the city is currently undergoing major development. Ofakim was the scene of fighting between Hamas fighters who infiltrated the city and Israeli forces in a stand-off during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war; the IDF cleared the city of Hamas fighters the following day.