Tzohar

This article is about the settlement. For the organization, see Tzohar (organization).

Tzohar (Hebrew: צֹחַר) is a community settlement and regional center in southern Israel. Located in Hevel Eshkol, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. In 2023 it had a population of 601.^[1]

Tzohar צֹחַר, צוחר‎ تسوحر
Hebrew transcription(s)
• unofficial	Tzochar, Zochar, Zohar
Memorial to Regiment 128
Tzohar Show map of Northwest Negev region of Israel Tzohar Show map of Israel
Coordinates: 31°14′8″N 34°25′35″E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Eshkol
Founded	1970
Founded by	Ethiopian Jews
Population  (2023)[1]	601

History

The settlement was founded in 1970 as a regional center for the villages in Hevel Eshkol. It was named after a son of Simeon mentioned in Genesis 46:10,^[2] as the neighbouring moshav Ohad was named after his brother, mentioned in the same Bible verse. In the 1990s it absorbed many immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union, many of whom lived in mobile homes.

On 7 October 2023 about 80 Hamas attackers attempted to infiltrate the community. A two-person security team succeeded in stopping the militants. The terrorists retreated, leaving a dozen bodies behind."^{[3][better source needed]}