Western Negev Sunset Artshelter ~ Tel Gama Junction ~ J. Shwartz & M. Brizel

Eshkol Regional Council is one of Israel’s largest regional councils. The council lies in the Western Negev and shares a 60 kilometer border with the Gaza Strip, which is often referred to as the Gaza Envelope. The Eshkol Regional Council was founded in 1951 as Hevel Ma’on and changed its name in 1969 , in honour of the third Prime Minister of Israel, Levy Eshkol. Stretching from Kibbutz Be’eri in the north to the Holot Agur Dunes in the south, and from the Besor Stream in the east to the Gaza Strip and the international border with Egypt, the council area covers about 1,000 km , the majority of which is agricultural land. It is home to some 16,000 residents in 32 communities: 3 municipal communities, 14 kibbutzim, and 15 moshavim. This artshelter is situated near one of the region’s 3 elementary schools. On October 7th, Hamas terrorists infiltrated 16 of the 32 communities of the Eshkol Regional Council, committing among their atrocities, the horrific massacres in Kibbutz Be’eri where more than 130 people were slaughtered, and the Nova Peace Rave near Kibbutz Re’em where 364 young party goes were mercilessly butchered. About 200 of those murdered in the sadistic attacks were residents of the regional council, and another 120 members of the council were taken hostage – about half of the total number of hostages. Adapted from KKL-JNF site