# Wadi Gaza

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Wadi in southern Israel and Palestine

Wadi Gaza / Besor Stream وادي غزة / נחל הבשור Besor Stream Location Country Israel, Palestine Physical characteristics Source • location Negev • coordinates 30°48′46″N 34°43′39″E / 30.8129°N 34.7276°E / 30.8129; 34.7276 Mouth • location Mediterranean Sea • coordinates 31°27′50″N 34°22′33″E / 31.46389°N 34.37583°E / 31.46389; 34.37583

Flooding in the Negev by the Besor stream

**Wadi Gaza** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): وادي غزة, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Arabic): *Wadi Ghazza*) and **Besor Stream** ([Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): נחל הבשור, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Hebrew): *Nahal HaBesor*, [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek_language): Ἀβεσσά, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Ancient_Greek): *Habessá*) are parts of a [river system](/source/River_system) in the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip) in [Palestine](/source/Palestine) and the [Negev](/source/Negev) region of [Israel](/source/Israel). Wadi Gaza is a [wadi](/source/Wadi) (river valley) that divides the northern and southern ends of the Gaza Strip, whose major [tributary](/source/Tributary) is Besor Stream.[1]

## History

[Yeruham](/source/Yeruham) Reservoir

Nahal Besor has shown evidence of [epipaleolithic](/source/Epipaleolithic) sites above [paleolithic](/source/Paleolithic) sediments.[2] Finds of pottery and flints were studied by Ann Roshwalb who found evidence of both [Egyptian](/source/Egypt) and late [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) occupations.[3] Archaeologists [Pierre de Miroschedji](/source/Pierre_de_Miroschedji) and [Moain Sadeq](/source/Moain_Sadeq) suggest that in the late 4th millennium BCE, Egypt's expansion into the southern Levant consisted of a core of permanent settlement with areas of seasonal habitation and Egyptian influence where ancient Egyptians and Canaanites interacted.[4] The permanent core was focused around the wadi, encompassing the settlements at [Tell es-Sakan](/source/Tell_es-Sakan) (likely an administrative centre) and [En Besor](/source/Ein_HaBesor#Early_Bronze_Age).[5]

In the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament), Besor was a ravine or brook in the extreme south-west of Judah, where 200 of [David](/source/David)'s men stayed behind because they were faint, while the other 400 pursued the [Amalekites](/source/Amalekites).[6][7]

Around the year 390, a group of monks from [Scetis](/source/Scetis) around [Silvanus](/source/Silvanus_of_Gaza) settled in several [hermit cells](/source/Lavra) along the watercourse. The community would only gather on Saturdays and Sundays for communal prayer and meals, doing various manual works and prayer during the week.[8] In 520, the so-called [monastery of Seridus](/source/Monastery_of_Seridus) was founded a bit further south where the famous hermits [Barsanuphius](/source/Barsanuphius) and [John the Prophet](/source/John_the_Prophet) lived.[9]

During the [Ottoman period](/source/Ottoman_period), the area was inhabited by the [Bedouin](/source/Bedouin) [tribe](/source/Tribe) of **'Arab al-Jubarat** (عرب الجبارات).[10]

Between 1951 and 1954, the [Yeruham Dam](/source/Yeruham_Dam) was built on one of the tributaries of the HaBesor Stream.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2012, Palestine added Wadi Gaza to the [tentative list of World Heritage Sites](/source/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_the_State_of_Palestine#Tentative_list).[11]

In October 2023, as part of the [Gaza war](/source/Gaza_war), Israel ordered 1.1 million people then living north of the Wadi Gaza bridge to move south.[12]

		- 1888

		- 1933

		- 1942

## Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve

Main article: [Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve](/source/Wadi_Gaza_Nature_Reserve)

The Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve was declared a [nature reserve](/source/Nature_reserve) by the [Environmental Quality Authority](/source/Environment_Quality_Authority_(Palestine)) of [Palestinian Authority](/source/Palestinian_Authority) in June 2000. It is confined to the course of the Wadi and its floodplain and banks within the Palestinian jurisdiction.[13]

The Gaza section of the [Coastal Aquifer](/source/Coastal_Aquifer) is the only significant source of water in the Gaza Strip.[14] The Wadi Gaza runs through a wetland, the **Gaza Valley**, and as of 2012 it is used as a wastewater dump.[15]

In 2022, rehabilitation began to turn Wadi Gaza back into a nature reserve.[16][17]

## Geography

A bridge across HaBesor Stream, Western Negev.

The stream begins at Mount Boker (near [Sde Boker](/source/Sde_Boker)), and spills into the [Mediterranean Sea](/source/Mediterranean_Sea) near [Al-Zahra](/source/Al-Zahra) in the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip). Further upstream it was marked as **Wadi esh-Shallaleh** on the 1878 [Survey of Western Palestine](/source/Palestine_Exploration_Fund) map. The area has several important archaeological sites.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The stream is the largest in the northern Negev, and together with its largest tributaries, the [Nahal Gerar](/source/Nahal_Gerar), and the Beersheba stream, reaches as far east into the desert as Sde Boker, [Yeruham](/source/Yeruham), [Dimona](/source/Dimona), and [Arad](/source/Arad%2C_Israel)/[Tel Arad](/source/Tel_Arad).[7]

The source of Besor River lies at Mount Boker, near [Sde Boker](/source/Sde_Boker) and the educational center [Midreshet Ben-Gurion](/source/Midreshet_Ben-Gurion). From there it flows northwest towards the town of [Ashalim](/source/Ashalim), where it meets Nahal Be'er Hayil.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

From there it flows north towards the ancient town of [Haluza](/source/Elusa_(Haluza)) ([Al-Khalasa](/source/Al-Khalasa)). Then it continues northwest until it meets the [Beersheba River](/source/Beersheba_River) a little to the east of the town of [Tze'elim](/source/Tze'elim).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Near the village of [Re'im](/source/Re'im), Nahal Besor meets the [Nahal Gerar](/source/Nahal_Gerar) river, which is its biggest tributary.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

One of the tributaries of the Besor River reaches [kibbutz Urim](/source/Urim%2C_Israel). Tributaries from south to north: HaRo'e Stream, Boker Stream, Mesora Stream, Zalzal Stream, Revivim Stream, Atadim Stream, Beersheba Stream, Assaf Stream, Amar Stream, Sahaf Stream, and Wadi Abu Katrun.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Finally, Bezor Stream flows across the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, and into the Mediterranean sea.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Ecology and environment

Red *[Anemone coronaria](/source/Anemone_coronaria)* flower near the Besor. Typical for the region, [Loess](/source/Loess) badlands can be seen in the background.

### Fauna

The [Gaza–Israel barrier](/source/Gaza%E2%80%93Israel_barrier) presents a physical barrier which effects the makeup of wildlife in the portion of the wadi in the Gaza Strip by limiting movement. Between 2002 and 2004 a survey of wildlife around the wadi as it passes through the Gaza Strip found that it was devoid of large mammals, though small mammals such as [bats](/source/Bat), [hedgehogs](/source/Hedgehog), and [rodents](/source/Rodent) were common. Wildlife hunting for food is more common in this area than in Israel.[18]

### Pollution

A study conducted in 2001 and 2002 found that the section of the wadi flowing through the Gaza Strip had higher levels of pollutants in summer than winter, when greater rainfall diluted the concentration. There were high levels of [mercury](/source/Mercury_(element)#Sediment_contamination), [cadmium](/source/Cadmium), iron and zinc.[19]

## Archaeology

Several archaeological sites were excavated by Eann Macdonald in 1929 to 1930 along the Wadi Ghazzeh in lower Nahal Besor that show signs of specialist flint production. Some of these sites were re-excavated in 1969 by [Jean Perrot](/source/Jean_Perrot).[20][21]

Several important [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age) archaeological sites are in this area. Among them are [Tel Gamma](/source/Tell_Jemmeh), and [Tell el-Far'ah (South)](/source/Tell_el-Far'ah_(South)). A smaller site of Qubur al-Walaydah is located between them.[22]

### Taur Ikhbeineh

Main article: [Taur Ikhbeineh](/source/Taur_Ikhbeineh)

Taur Ikhbeineh is an Early Bronze Age settlement 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) inland from Gaza's Mediterranean coast. It was occupied in the 4th millennium BC and pottery from the site indicates interactions between Canaanite and Egyptian people. It was located along a probable paleo-estuary of the wadi.[23][24]

### Tell es-Sakan

Pierre de Miroschedji and [Moain Sadeq](/source/Moain_Sadeq) led excavations at [Tell es-Sakan](/source/Tell_es-Sakan) in 2000.

Main article: [Tell es-Sakan](/source/Tell_es-Sakan)

Tell es-Sakan is an Early Bronze Age settlement on the northern bank of the Wadi Gaza, close to Gaza City.[25] It covers an area of 8–9 hectares (20–22 acres) and was inhabited between 3300 and 2300 BC. It began as an Egyptian settlement before it was abandoned around 3000 BC and later inhabited by Canaanites in 2600 BC.[26]

### Tell el-Ajjul

Main article: [Tell el-Ajjul](/source/Tell_el-Ajjul)

Tell el-Ajjul was established in the Bronze Age and was likely a successor settlement to Tell es-Sakan.[27] It is on the northern bank of the wadi.[28]

### Tell Jemmeh/Tel Gamma

Main article: [Tell Jemmeh](/source/Tell_Jemmeh)

Tel Gamma

Tell Jemmeh (Arabic) or Tel Gamma (תל גמה; Hebrew) is located on the west side of Nahal Besor, near [Re'im](/source/Re'im) and is close to 50,000 square metres (5.0 ha; 12 acres) in size. [*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The site was continuously settled only between the Middle Bronze IIB (c. 1700–1550 BCE) and the Persian period (c. 530–330 BC). During the Iron I (c. 1200–1000 BE) the site was part of the [Philistine](/source/Philistine) territory.[29]

The first archaeological excavations mistakenly identified Tel Gamma as biblical [Gerar](/source/Gerar),[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and it has since been identified by researchers as the Canaanite city of [Yurzah](/source/Yursa) (ירזה), that was cited on the lists of Pharaoh [Thutmose III](/source/Thutmose_III) (15th century BCE), as well as in [Amarna letters](/source/Amarna_letters).[29]

### Tell el-Farah (South)

Main article: [Tell el-Far'ah (South)](/source/Tell_el-Far'ah_(South))

Tell el-Farah (South), sometimes referred to as Tell Fara,[30] is on the west side of Nahal Besor, near [Ein HaBesor](/source/Ein_HaBesor). The tell is 37 hectares (91 acres) in size and 15 metres (49 ft) high and was an important fortified site in the Middle [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age). The earliest major settlement that has been uncovered to date is from the Middle Bronze Age II, lasting from ca. 1650 to 1550 BCE.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] It was controlled by [Egypt](/source/Ancient_Egypt) in the Late Bronze Age and inhabited by [Philistines](/source/Philistines) into the [Iron Age](/source/Iron_Age). A [hematite](/source/Hematite) seal in the shape of the head of a [bull](/source/Bull) was found and identified by [Flinders Petrie](/source/Flinders_Petrie) to originate from [Syria](/source/Syria_(region)), it showed a bull attacking a [lion](/source/Lion) beneath a [scorpion](/source/Scorpion).[31]

[Flinders Petrie](/source/Flinders_Petrie) first identified the site as Beth-Pelet ([Joshua 15:27](https://mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0615.htm#27)) and published the excavation reports under the names Beth-Pelet I - II. It has been linked by [William Foxwell Albright](/source/William_Foxwell_Albright) to the ancient settlement of [Sharuhen](/source/Sharuhen), although [Tell el-Ajjul](/source/Tall_al-Ajjul) near the estuary of Nahal Besor, and [Tel Haror](/source/Tel_Haror) to the north, are also being suggested.[32] Nahal Besor has been suggested to be the [Brook of Egypt](/source/Brook_of_Egypt).[33][34]

## Flooding

Besor Stream is subject to annual flooding following heavy rains. Some Palestinians have claimed that Israel is at fault for the flooding, due to the opening of one or more dams opened upstream,[35] and in 2015, [AFP](/source/Agence_France-Presse) posted a video showing flooding, entitled "Gaza village floods after Israel opens dam gates."[36] Several days later, AFP published a story acknowledging that "no such dam exists in Israel that could control the flow of water into Gaza, according to a team of AFP reporters on the ground as well as interviews with Israeli and international experts."[35]

## See also

- [Ein HaBesor](/source/Ein_HaBesor)

- [List of archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip](/source/List_of_archaeological_sites_in_the_Gaza_Strip)

- [Nahal Hevron](/source/Nahal_Hevron)

- [Tourism in Israel](/source/Tourism_in_Israel)

## References

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** de Miroschedji, Pierre; Sadeq, Moain; Faltings, Dina; Boulez, Virginie; Naggiar-Moliner, Laurence; [Sykes, Naomi](/source/Naomi_Sykes); Tengberg, Margareta (2001), "Les fouilles de Tell es-Sakan (Gaza): nouvelles données sur les contacts égypto-cananéens aux IVe-IIIe millénaires", *Paléorient* (in French), **27** (2): 77–78, [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3406/paleo.2001.4732](https://doi.org/10.3406%2Fpaleo.2001.4732)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** de Miroschedji, Pierre; Sadeq, Moain (2005), "The frontier of Egypt in the Early Bronze Age: preliminary soundings at Tell es-Sakan (Gaza Strip)", in Clarke, Joanne (ed.), [*Archaeological Perspectives on the Transmission and Transformation of Culture in the Eastern Mediterranean*](https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv310vqks.24), Council for British Research in the Levant, p. 155, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84217-168-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84217-168-4), [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [j.ctv310vqks.24](https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv310vqks.24)

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ben-shlomo_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ben-shlomo_29-1) Ben-Shlomo, David (2014). "Tell Jemmeh, Philistia and the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Late Iron Age". *Levant*. **46**: 58–88. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1179/0075891413Z.00000000031](https://doi.org/10.1179%2F0075891413Z.00000000031).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PetrieTufnell1930_30-0)** William Matthew Flinders Petrie; Olga Tufnell (1930). [*Beth-Pelet 1: Tell Fara*](https://books.google.com/books?id=xu8rQwAACAAJ). British School of Archaeology in Egypt.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-KeelUehlinger1998_31-0)** Othmar Keel; Christoph Uehlinger (1998). [*Gods, goddesses, and images of God in ancient Israel*](https://books.google.com/books?id=NjYAWXO-jdAC&pg=PA144). Continuum International Publishing Group. pp. 144–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-567-08591-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-567-08591-7). Retrieved 2 May 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Eerdmans_Dictionary_of_the_Bible_32-0)** [*Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qRtUqxkB7wkC&pg=PA1197). Amsterdam University Press. 31 December 2000. p. 1197. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-90-5356-503-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-5356-503-2). Retrieved 2 May 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Nadav Na'aman, [The Brook of Egypt and Assyrian Policy on the Egyptian Border.](https://www.academia.edu/12932443) Tel Aviv 6 (1979), pp. 68-90

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Liverani1995_34-0)** Mario Liverani (1995). [*Neo-Assyrian geography, p. 111*](https://books.google.com/books?id=IaoMAQAAMAAJ). Università di Roma, Dipartimento di scienze storiche, archeologiche e antropologiche dell'Antichità. Retrieved 2 May 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-afp1_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-afp1_35-1) Ward, Hazel (27 February 2015). ["Gaza floods: dispelling the myth about Israeli 'dams'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160913181212/https://www.yahoo.com/news/gaza-floods-dispelling-myth-israeli-dams-153701865.html). *Yahoo! News*. [AFP](/source/Agence_France-Presse). Archived from [the original](https://www.yahoo.com/news/gaza-floods-dispelling-myth-israeli-dams-153701865.html) on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-toi1_36-0)** Berman, Lazar (25 February 2015). ["False 'Israel drowns Gaza' claims sweep internet"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/false-israel-drowns-gaza-claims-sweep-internet/). *[Times of Israel](/source/Times_of_Israel)*. Retrieved 9 August 2016.

## Further reading

- Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N.; Yassin, Maged M.; Al Agha, Mohammed R.; Hamad, Dawi M.; Ali, Abdel Karim S. (2007). ["The Herpetofauna of the Gaza Strip with Particular Emphasis on the Vicinity of Wadi Gaza"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228661897). *The Islamic University Journal (Series of Natural Studies and Engineering)*. **15** (1): 111–135.

- El-Khoudary, R. H.; Anan, H. S. (1985). "Preliminary study on the geology and geomorphology of Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip". *Proceedings of the 2nd Jordanian Geological Conference*: 531–539.

- Ubeid, Khalid Fathi (2016). ["Quaternary alluvial deposits of Wadi Gaza in the middle of the Gaza Strip (Palestine): Facies, granulometric characteristics, and their paleoflow direction"](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1464343X1630098X). *Journal of African Earth Sciences*. **118**: 274–283. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016JAfES.118..274U](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016JAfES.118..274U). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.03.012](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jafrearsci.2016.03.012).

- Zaineldeen, Usama; Aish, Adnan (2012). ["Geology, geomorphology and hydrology of the Wadi Gaza catchment, Gaza Strip, Palestine"](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1464343X12001410). *Journal of African Earth Sciences*. **76**: 1–7. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012JAfES..76....1Z](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012JAfES..76....1Z). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2012.07.005](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jafrearsci.2012.07.005).

## External links

- Media related to [Besor Stream](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Besor_Stream) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Official website of the Tell el-Farah excavations, Nahal Besor. Claremont Graduate University.](http://farahsouth.cgu.edu/index.htm)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wadi Gaza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Gaza) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Gaza?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.