Nahal Gerar

Nachal Gerar, also Nachal Grar (Hebrew: נחל גרר) is a wadi in Israel, in the Negev desert. The Arabic name of the wadi is Wadi esh-Sheri'a (also Wady el Sharia and other variations). Along this wadi, there are several important ancient Bronze Age archaeological sites. During the Early Iron Age this was an area of Philistine settlement.

Nachal Gerar begins on the border between the northern Negev and the southwest foothills of Judaean Mountains, near the village of Lahav. Then the wadi flows west near the city of Lehavim, and along the southern edge of a large Bedouin town of Rahat. Then it enters the country on the northwestern edge of the Negev near the town of Netivot, where the area is currently being turned into agricultural use. Near the village of Re'im, it flows into Nahal Besor, of which it is the main affluent.

The lower river area is now a nature reserve used by tourists. The Jewish National Fund is carrying out forest planting and the development of hiking trails.

The reserve consists of two parts. The first has an area of about 2,000 dunams (2 square kilometers) and is located between Rahat and Tidhar, the other has an area of about 5,500 dunams (5.5 square kilometers) and lies between the villages Ranen and Re'im.

Along Nachal Gerar, there are several important Bronze Age archaeological sites. The major settlement of this area started at the time of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, and continued into the New Kingdom, when some significant Egyptian settlements were founded. After the decline of the Egyptian sites, during the Early Iron Age, this area became culturally influenced by the Philistine settlers.

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