Ofakim
Ofakim
אופקים | |
|---|---|
Street in Ofakim | |
|
Coat of arms | |
Ofakim Ofakim | |
| Coordinates: 31°18′38″N 34°37′11″E / 31.31056°N 34.61972°E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Subdistrict | Beersheba |
| Founded | 19 April 1955 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Body | Municipality of Ofakim |
| • Mayor | Yitzhak Danino (Likud) |
| Area | |
• Total | 10,273 dunams (10.273 km2; 3.966 sq mi) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 37,837 |
| • Density | 3,683.2/km2 (9,539.3/sq mi) |
| Ethnicity | |
| • Jews and others | 99.3% |
| • Arabs | 0.7% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (IST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (IDT) |
| Name meaning | Horizons |
| Website | www.ofaqim.muni.il |
Ofakim (Hebrew: אופקים, 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 2023 it had a population of 37,837.
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.
During the October 7 attacks in 2023, Ofakim was attacked by Hamas militants who infiltrated the city and killed 47 residents.