Tel Haror (Arabic: Tell Abu Hureyra) is a large mound in the Negev, located on the northern bank of Nahal Gerar, near Moshav Shibolim. The mound spreads across about 150 square km, divided into two parts – the lower and upper cities.

At the top of the hill, there is a WWI era Turkish cemetery, including Sheikh Abu Hureyra’s tomb, after whom the mound was named.

Until Israel’s War of Independence, the Arab residents of the area used to go to the grave and make sacrifices during an entire week. 

Nowadays, Tel Haror is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims seeking marriage.

Photography Credit: Dror Lavi