Remains from the
Byzantine era through to the end of the
Fatimid era have been excavated here.
Ottoman era ) In 1863,
Victor Guérin visited ruins here and described them: "These ruins occupy a broken plateau on the south bank of the torrent. Masses of material strew the ground over an extent of 1,800 metres of circumference. Everything is entirely overthrown except ten round constructions, each surmounted by a little pointed
cupola built of well-rounded stones. Probably these buildings were intended for the storage of grain. In the bed of the
Wady there is an ancient well containing abundance of excellent water." In 1883, the
SWP described
Khurbet Futeis as "A large ruin on the north bank of the valley".
Modern era , overlaid with the modern day street plan Ofakim was established in 1955 as an urban center for rural communities in the south. The original houses of Ofakim were built about 1km south-west of Khirbet Futeis/Futais, now called Horbat Patish, which was the site of a large settlement during the Byzantine and early Islamic periods. That settlement is usually identified with Patish/Photis that appeared on the
Madaba map. East of Ofakim is the remains of a large building from late
Ottoman times, locally known as "Patish fort" but Petersen considered its function to be unclear. By mid-July, during
the 1948 War (
Operation An-Far), the area fell to the
IDF. The Bedouin families living there fled to
Al-Muharraqa, and from there they were expelled to the
Gaza Strip. The first inhabitants consisted of immigrant families from mainly
Morocco (seventeen families) and four families from
Tunisia and
Egypt. The population in 1955 was about 600. The immigrants were housed in huts and tin shacks until the construction of permanent housing. In the city's early years, the construction industry was the main source of income. In late 1956, after the expulsion of Jews from Egypt following the
Suez Crisis, 150 Egyptian-Jewish families, some of them
Karaite Jews, settled in Ofakim. In the following years, 170 Jewish families from
Iran arrived, along with immigrants from
India and
Romania. In 1958, Ofakim was granted
local council status. In the late 1950s, the construction industry was still the main employer, and some residents also worked in agriculture nearby, but industry also began to be established in Ofakim, starting with a diamond polishing plant, followed by two textile factories that opened in 1959. At the same time, the town's streets were paved, public parks were established, and schools were founded. In 1961, the population was 4,600. As in other
development towns, the industrial sector historically played an important part in Ofakim's economy. In 1972, 32% of the salaried workers (754 people) were in this sector, and in 1983—924 people (23%). During this period, the textile industry grew to dominate Ofakim's economy. Numerous textile plants were set up, and the industry employed by far the most workers, ranging from 72% (1982–83) to 82% (1972). The Of–Ar (short for Ofakim–
Argentina) textile factory was a major employer. Ofakim gained a reputation as an economically depressed city in Israel. In 1997, it had the highest unemployment rate in Israel, at 15.3%. It also had the highest unemployment rate in 2004, at slightly over 14%. In 2008,
Haaretz reported: "Nearly one-third of the inhabitants are supported by the welfare department and hundreds of families receive aid, including food, from non-profit organizations. Many of the inhabitants in their 50s and 60s have been dreaming of fleeing Ofakim since they were 20. When they retire, they leave."
Zvika Greengold became the new mayor. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Ofakim gradually saw improvements in its economy. Tax incentives were given to open new factories in Ofakim, and a branch of MATI, an organization that supports small businesses, was opened. The high-tech industry also entered Ofakim. The city is currently undergoing a series of major development projects. Ofakim was infiltrated by Hamas forces on
October 7 attacks. Hamas first attacked the Mishor Hagefen neighborhood. Upon entering they shot an old woman. Hamas attacked civilians in their homes during the panic from Hamas rocket attacks. The subsequent
Battle of Ofakim saw police, armed residents, and off-duty soldiers battle the terrorists before IDF reinforcements arrived. The city was declared as cleared early the following morning. Among the weapons held by Hamas militants in their assault were grenades, anti-tank rockets, plastic explosives and land mines. == Demographics ==