Nir Hen

Place in Southern, Israel

Nir Hen 31°36′35″N 34°42′55″E / 31.60972°N 34.71528°E / 31.60972; 34.71528
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Lakhish
Affiliation	Moshavim Movement
Founded	1955–1956
Founded by	Jewish refugees from North Africa
Population (2022)^[1]	575

Nir Hen (Hebrew: נִיר חֵ"ן, lit. Meadow of the 58 (ח"ן is 58 in Gematria)) is a moshav in south-central Israel. Located in Hevel Lakhish between Ashkelon and Kiryat Gat, it falls under the jurisdiction of Lakhish Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 575.^[1]

History

The moshav was founded in 1956. Its name is in memory of the 58 passengers who traveled on El Al Flight 402 that was shot down over the skies of Bulgaria about a year before the community was founded. The community was originally settled by Jewish refugees from North Africa, and later other immigrants and native Israelis joined them.