News and updates about Arava

Making salty water sweet:

New breakthrough boosts crop growth

Ariel University designs new desalination method to leave critical nutrients in the water, aiding agriculture.

New breakthrough boosts crop growth

Start Up Nation in ancient Canaan

Thanks to advanced management skills, the Arava became the copper power of the ancient world.

Start Up Nation in ancient Canaan

Israel is leading the world in reviving bee colonies

How Israel is leading the world in reviving bee colonies — in the middle of the desert.

Israel is leading the world in reviving bee colonies

How Israel is exporting agriculture

In the Arava region, one educational program trains students from around the world in hands-on agriculture.

How Israel is exporting agriculture

4-year-old bitten at crocodile farm in Arava; condition serious

Boy bitten in hand while spending time with family at Crocoloco crocodile farm; evacuated by MDA helicopter for surgery at Soroka Hospital.

4-year-old bitten at crocodile farm in Arava; condition serious

Flooding in southern Israel

Arava Regional Council closes schools due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

Flooding in southern Israel

Man killed in car accident in southern Israel

45-year-old man killed, 2 injured in accident between 2 vehicles on Route 90 between Paran and Menucha Junction.

Man killed in car accident in southern Israel

Two girls killed in Arava car accident

2 girls aged 4 and 8 killed, 5 others injured in accident in southern Israel on Route 90, near Ein Yahav.

Two girls killed in Arava car accident

Jordan cancels part of peace agreement with Israel

King of Jordan cancels part of agreement which leases land in Arava and Naharayim to Jewish farmers.

Jordan cancels part of peace agreement with Israel

New town approved for Arava region

Final approval given for new town near Ir Ovot as part of plan to boost southern Israel's Jewish population.

New town approved for Arava region

8 injured in collision in southern Israel

8 injured, including 1 seriously and 1 moderately, when bus and truck collide in Arava region.

8 injured in collision in southern Israel

New town in Arava: Ir Ovot

Housing Minister says new community part of plan to relieve housing crisis in Israel.

New town in Arava: Ir Ovot

Flash flood disaster:

Head of pre-military academy released to house arrest

Director of Bnei Tzion pre-army preparatory academy released to house arrest for five days.

Head of pre-military academy released to house arrest

Watch: Baby crocodiles hatch in southern Israel

Two baby crocodiles hatch at the Crocodile Farm in the Arava in southern Israel.

Watch: Baby crocodiles hatch in southern Israel

Marijuana in the IDF's firing line

Border Police find marijuana greenhouse in southern Israel.

Marijuana in the IDF's firing line

Tragedy in southern Israel: 3 dead in car crash

Three people were killed in a car accident near Ein Yahav on Highway 90.

Tragedy in southern Israel: 3 dead in car crash

31 trapped by floodwaters

Group of 16 teens hiking in the Arava get stuck by floods amid stormy weather, on its way rescue unit finds another 15 hikers.

31 trapped by floodwaters

Unusually powerful floods in the south this weekend

Raging rivers in the desert: Negev and Arava down to Eilat set to be hit by rare intense flooding on Shabbat.

Unusually powerful floods in the south this weekend

'Like After a Pogrom'

Arab thieves invade Jewish home near Jericho, beat and bind husband and wife – but leave them alive.

'Like After a Pogrom'

The Israeli App that Will Help Farmers Around the World

Pickapp, developed in the Arava region, combines location platforms with agro-technics to build a revolutionary map.

The Israeli App that Will Help Farmers Around the World

Bibi Taps Akunis as Deputy Environment Minister

MK Ofir Akunis (Likud) will deal with disastrous oil spill in the south.

Bibi Taps Akunis as Deputy Environment Minister

Oil Spill 'Biggest Ecological Disaster Israel Has Seen'

Energy expert says oil spill in southern Arava region especially bad due to material and location, notes danger of spreading damage.

Oil Spill 'Biggest Ecological Disaster Israel Has Seen'

Arava Oil Spill Disaster 60% Worse Than Originally Feared

State Comptroller launches investigation over responsibility, as estimates over the damage more than double overnight.

Arava Oil Spill Disaster 60% Worse Than Originally Feared

Suit Filed Against Pipeline Company for 'Environmental Disaster'

Lawsuit to the tune of 380 million shekel calls for damages to the National Parks Authority, Eilat residents over oil spill.

Suit Filed Against Pipeline Company for 'Environmental Disaster'

Environmental disaster

Oil Spill Will Take Years to Clean, Cost $7.6 Million

Professional assessments say it will take a year to clear waste, several years to rehabilitate important nature reserve from Arava spill.

Oil Spill Will Take Years to Clean, Cost $7.6 Million

Eilat Oil Spill 'Not Foul Play'

80 Jordanians suffer trouble breathing over the border as Israel struggles to contain 1,000 cubic meter spill caused by car accident.

Eilat Oil Spill 'Not Foul Play'

Activists: Eilat Oil Leak an 'Environmental Disaster'

Environmental activists have declared an “environmental disaster” in Israel's Arava desert, after a major oil pipeline leak.

Activists: Eilat Oil Leak an 'Environmental Disaster'

Car Crash on Route 90; 35 Year Old Woman Killed

Passenger vehicle overturns on Arava Road; 35 year-old woman killed, 3 others suffer moderate to severe injuries.

Car Crash on Route 90; 35 Year Old Woman Killed

Israel's Desert Date Yield Up 20%

Despite a 20% reduction in water supply, yields are flourishing in Israel's Arava desert region, which stretches from the Dead Sea to Eilat.

Israel's Desert Date Yield Up 20%

Four Soldiers Hurt in Jeep Accident

Soldiers lightly wounded in the course of routine operations north of Eilat.

Four Soldiers Hurt in Jeep Accident

One Dead, 9 Injured in Hydrochloric Acid Explosion

Pipe carrying hydrochloric acid burst at pumping facility near a quarry in the Arava. Route 90 reopened.

One Dead, 9 Injured in Hydrochloric Acid Explosion

Israel Begins to Clear Landmines

Israel's Defense Ministry has the first deal ever to allow a contractor clear landmines - thousands of them -- beginning in March.

Israel Begins to Clear Landmines