Nir Am (Hebrew: נִירְעָם, ניר עם, lit. 'Nation Meadow') is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located next to Sderot and around two kilometres from the Gaza Strip, the kibbutz covers 20,000 dunams. It falls under the jurisdiction of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 726.[1]
Nir Am
ניר עם
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Nir Am in 1950
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| Etymology: Nation Meadow | |
  Nir Am Show map of Northwest Negev region of Israel  Nir Am Show map of Israel | |
| Coordinates: 31°31′10″N 34°34′51″E / 31.51944°N 34.58083°E / 31.51944; 34.58083 | |
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Council | Sha'ar HaNegev |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement |
| Founded | 19 August 1943 |
| Founded by | Bessarabian Gordonia members |
| Area | 20,000 dunams (20 km2 or 8 sq mi) |
| Population
(2022)[1]
| 726 |
| • Density | 36/km2 (94/sq mi) |
| Website | www |
The village was established on 19 August 1943 by immigrants from Bessarabia who were members of the Gordonia youth movement, including Zvi Guershoni, later a member of the Knesset. Over the years the kibbutz has also absorbed immigrants from Argentina, France and South Africa. During the 1948 war it was the headquarters of the Negev Brigade.[2] In a report written in March 1948 by Yaakov Riftin investigating abuses in Haganah and Palmach units, it emerged that an Arab was seized, tortured and killed.[3]
During 2023 Hamas attack, Nir Am was one of few villages near Gaza that avoided casualties due to the quick action of its security team, which managed to repel attacks by Hamas gunmen. The team was led by Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, the village's security coordinator who planned the defense, and included a retired Israeli special forces soldier living in the village.[4][5][6]
An innovative work area was created in Kibbutz Nir Am (Incubator),[7] Offices and workplaces for rent to start-ups, small companies in high-tech activities).
The Museum of Water and Security in the Negev is located at Nir Am, next to Mekorot's Nir Am reservoir.
The Assaf Siboni Scenic Lookout and memorial, at a vantage point near the Nir Am Reservoir, offers excellent views of the Gaza Strip and especially of Jabalia.[8]