Dhahiriya

Basic Information

Type

City

Governorate

Hebron

Region

West Bank - Southern

Overview

Adh Dhahiriya is the southernmost town in the West Bank, bordering the Negev desert. An ancient settlement with remnants of Hellenistic, Roman, and Crusader structures, the town has historically served as the southern gateway to the central highlands of Palestine and a defensive outpost against Bedouin raids. Its peripheral location made it a central commercial market for surrounding communities and Bedouins. Since 1967, Dhahiriya has been heavily affected by its proximity to the Green Line, with 52% of its workforce historically employed within Israel but now facing severe access restrictions. The town is surrounded by Area C lands and subject to home demolitions, land confiscation, and movement restrictions at the southern entrance checkpoint.

Historical Significance

Southernmost continuously inhabited Palestinian locality, directly bordering Israel's Negev Desert. Ancient Canaanite city of Goshen. Strategic link between highlands and desert.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

• PCBS
• ARIJ Dhahiriya Profile
• Wikipedia
• Al-Dhahiriya Municipality

Third largest city in Hebron Governorate after Hebron and Yatta.