Ofakim

Ofakim
אוֹפָקִים / אֳפָקִים
افقيم
Official logo of Ofakim
Ofakim is located in Northwest Negev region of Israel
Ofakim
Ofakim
Ofakim is located in Israel
Ofakim
Ofakim
Coordinates: 31°19′N 34°37′E / 31.317°N 34.617°E / 31.317; 34.617
Country Israel
DistrictSouthern
Founded19 April 1955
Government
 • MayorYitzhak Danino
Area
 • Total
10,273 dunams (10.273 km2 or 3.966 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
 • Total
35,506
 • Density3,500/km2 (9,000/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Jews and others99.3%
 • Arabs0.7%
Name meaningHorizons
Websitehttp://www.ofaqim.muni.il

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 2022, it had a population of 35,506.[1]

Ofakim was established as a development town in 1955. For many years it was a major textile manufacturing center until outsourcing led to the closure of factories. As a result, Ofakim suffered from poverty and unemployment. Since the 2000s, new businesses have opened, improving the economic outlook.

In 2023, Ofakim was attacked by Hamas terrorists who infiltrated the city and killed 47 residents.[2]

  1. ^ a b c "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ Hasson, Nir (8 October 2023). "The Israeli Town of Ofakim Has Been Cleared of Hamas Terrorists but the Blood and Shock Remain". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.

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