Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Wadi Qelt

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Wadi Qelt httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsbb

Similar
  
Mount of Temptation, Monastery of the Temptation, Nabi Musa, Hisham's Palace, Mar Saba

The valley of nahal prat or wadi qelt in israel


Wadi Qelt (Arabic: وادي القلط‎‎‎; also: Wadi al-Qult, Wadi el-Qult, Wadi Kelt, Wadi Qilt or Wadi Qult), also Nahal Prat (Hebrew: נחל פרת‎‎), is a valley or stream (Arabic: وادي‎‎‎ wādī, "wadi"; Hebrew: נחל‎‎‎, "nahal") in the West Bank, originating near Jerusalem and terminating near Jericho, near the Dead Sea, where it runs into the Jordan River.

Contents

Wadi Qelt The Monastery of Wadi Qelt Amusing Planet

Wadi Qelt is home to a unique variety of flora and fauna. St. George's Monastery and the Wadi Qelt Synagogue are located in the Wadi, which has been identified with the biblical Perath mentioned in Jeremiah 13:5.

Wadi Qelt Terror cell behind Wadi Qelt attack uncovered The Times of Israel

Ancient history

Wadi Qelt The Monastery of Wadi Qelt Amusing Planet

Wadi Qelt contains monasteries and old Christian locations. Several aqueducts have been found along the stream, the oldest dating to the Hasmonean period (2nd century BC). The aqueducts transported water from three main springs in the valley to Jericho. The Wadi Qelt Synagogue, built as part of a Hasmonean royal winter palace, is believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in the world. The site was home to the winter palaces of Hasmonean kings and Herod the Great.

Qubur Bani Isra'in are huge stone structures which rise from a rocky plateau overlooking Wadi Qelt.

Wadi Qelt Hiking Wadi Qelt St George Monastery Israel Tours

The Monastery of Saint George was founded by John of Thebes around 480 AD, and it became an important spiritual centre in the sixth century under Saint George of Choziba. Hermits living in caves in nearby cliffs would meet in the monastery for a weekly mass and communal meal.

Modern times

Wadi Qelt Hiking Wadi Qelt St George Monastery Israel Tours

The area was occupied by Israel in 1967, and hence parts of the wadi were declared a nature reserve, the Ein Prat Nature Reserve.

Wadi Qelt Wadi Qilt BiblePlacescom BiblePlacescom

Wadi Qelt is a popular route for Palestinian and Israeli hikers. It is possible to hike all the way from the town of Hizma to Jericho, a journey of 25 kilometres and an 850m descent. The wadi is used by many Bedouin shepherds.

On December 20, 1968, Israeli lieutenant-Colonel Zvi Ofer (Tzvika Ofer), commander of the elite Haruv unit, former Military Governor of Nablus and recipient of the Israeli medal of valour, was killed in action in Wadi Qelt while pursuing Arab militants who had crossed the Jordan.

Wadi Qelt was the site of several Palestinian terror attacks on Israeli hikers following the 1993 Declaration of Principles peace agreement between Israel and the PLO. Dror Forer and Eran Bachar were shot to death on October 9, 1993, Ori Shahor and Ohad Bachrach were shot and killed on July 18, 1995, and Hagit Zavitzky and Liat Kastiel were stabbed and killed on April 25, 1997.

References

Wadi Qelt Wikipedia