List of rivers of Israel facts for kids

Israel is a land with many streams and rivers, even though it's often thought of as a desert country! These waterways are super important for life, providing water for people, farms, and animals. This article lists the main rivers and streams in Israel, organized by where they end up: the Mediterranean Sea, the Dead Sea, or the Red Sea.

You'll often see the words Nahal (from Hebrew) and Wadi (from Arabic). Both of these usually mean a stream or a river. Sometimes, a wadi is a riverbed that only has water during rainy seasons.

It's important to know that this list only includes rivers and streams that are inside Israel or flow into Israel. Streams that are entirely within the West Bank are not included here.

Rivers Flowing into the Mediterranean Sea

These rivers flow west and empty into the big Mediterranean Sea. They are listed from north to south.

• Nahal Betzet (also called Wadi Karkara)
• Nahal Kziv (also called Wadi al-Qarn)
• Ga'aton River
• Na'aman River (known in ancient times as the Belus River)
• Kishon River
  • Nahal Ma'apilim [he] (also called Wadi Abu Alhiya)
• Nahal Taninim (also called Wadi az-Zarqa)
• Hadera Stream (also called Nahr Akhdar)
• Nahal Alexander
• Nahal Poleg (also called Wadi al-Faliq)
• Yarkon River
  • Wadi Qana (also called Nahal Qanah)
  • Ayalon River (also called Wadi Musrara)
  • Nahal Shiloh [he] (also called Wadi Amuriya)
• Nahal Sorek (also called Wadi al-Sarar)
• Lakhish River (also called Wadi Suqrir)
• Nahal Shikma [he] (also called Wadi el-Hesi)
• HaBesor Stream (also known as Wadi Ghazzeh or Wadi esh-Shallaleh)
  • Nahal Gerar (also called Wadi esh-Sheri'a)
  • Nahal Be'er Sheva [he]
    • Nahal Hevron (also called Wadi al-Samen or Wadi al-Khalil)

Rivers Flowing into the Dead Sea

These rivers flow east and empty into the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on Earth! The most famous river here is the Jordan River.

The Jordan River and Its Tributaries

The Jordan River is one of the most important rivers in the Middle East. It flows south through the Jordan Rift Valley and ends in the Dead Sea. Many smaller streams flow into it.

Streams from Mount Hermon and Southern Lebanon

These streams start in the mountains and flow into the upper part of the Jordan River.

• • Banias River (also called Nahal Hermon)
  • Dan River
  • Hasbani River (also called Nahal Snir)
  • Nahal Ayun

Streams from the Galilee to the Upper Jordan River

These streams come from the Galilee region and join the Jordan River before it reaches the Sea of Galilee.

• • Nahal Dishon (also called Wadi al-Hindaj)
  • Nahal Hazor [he]
  • Nahal Mahanayim [he]

Streams from the Golan Heights to the Sea of Galilee

The Golan Heights is a hilly area east of the Sea of Galilee. Many streams flow from here into the Sea of Galilee, which then connects to the Jordan River. Five main streams, including the Jordan, flow through the Bethsaida Valley (also called Batikha). These streams often form lagoons before reaching the Sea of Galilee.

• • Meshushim River (also called Wadi el-Hawa)
    • Katzrin Stream [he] (this stream sometimes dries up)
    • Zavitan Stream [he]
      • Yosifon Stream (Nahal Yosifon)
  • Yehudiya River (found near the Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve)
    • Batra Stream
  • Daliyot River
    • Gamla Stream (Nahal Gamla)
      • Bazelet Stream (Nahal Bazelet)
  • Sfamnun Stream
  • Kanaf Stream
  • Samakh Stream
    • El Al Stream (Nahal El Al)
  • En Gev Stream (Nahal En Gev)
  • Metzar/Meitsar Stream (Nahal Metzar)

Streams from the Galilee to the Sea of Galilee

These streams flow directly from the Galilee region into the Sea of Galilee.

• • Nahal Korazim
  • Nahal Amud (also called Wadi al-Amud)
  • Nahal Tzalmon [he] (also called Wadi al-Rubudiyeh)
  • Nahal Arbel [he] (also called Wadi al-Hamam)

Streams from the Galilee to the Lower Jordan River

These streams join the Jordan River after it leaves the Sea of Galilee.

• • Nahal Yavne’el [he] (also called Wadi Fidjdjas)
  • Yarmouk River
  • Nahal Tavor (also called Tabor Stream)
  • Nahal Yissakhar [he]

Streams from the Valleys to the Jordan River

• • Harod Stream (also called Nahal Harod or Wadi Jalud)

Streams from the Judaean Desert to the Dead Sea

The Judaean Desert is a dry, rocky area. Many streams here are wadis that only flow strongly during flash floods.

• Nahal Yishai
• Nahal David [de; he] (also called Wadi Sdeir)
• Nahal Arugot [de; he] (also called Wadi el-Jihar in its upper parts)
• Nahal Tsruya
• Nahal Hever
• Nahal Asa'el
• Nahal Mishmar
• Nahal Miflat [he]
• Tze'elim Stream
  • • Nahal Keresh [cs]
    • Nahal Harduf [cs]
    • Nahal Shafan [cs] (receives water from Nahal Arnav [cs] and Nahal Adashah [cs])
      • Nahal Adashah [cs] (receives water from Nahal Betah [cs], Nahal Hardon [cs], Nahal Nazir [cs], Nahal Hatzron [cs], Nahal Badar [cs])

Streams from the Negev Desert to the Dead Sea

The Negev Desert is in the south of Israel. Streams here are also often wadis that flow mainly after rain.

• Nahal Zin [he] (related to the Zin Desert)

Streams from the Negev to the Arava Valley to the Dead Sea

The Arava Valley is a long, dry valley that runs south from the Dead Sea. Some streams from the Negev flow into this valley, and then their waters eventually reach the Dead Sea.

• Nahal HaArava
  • Nahal Neqarot [he]
    • Nahal Ramon [he]
  • Nahal Shivya
  • Nahal Paran
  • Nahal Hiyyon

Rivers Flowing into the Red Sea (Gulf of Eilat)

These streams are in the very south of Israel, near the city of Eilat, and they flow into the Gulf of Eilat, which is part of the Red Sea.

• Nahal Shahmon [he]
• Nahal Shlomo [he] (meaning Solomon Stream)