Zohar Fort, Fortress site in the Southern District, Israel

Zohar Fort is the name of two ancient structures in Nahal Zohar, west of Highway 90. The eastern one, called the "Israeli" Zohar Fort, sits on the southern spur of Mount Yizrah, built of large stones on chalk; Ruth Enberg estimated it as originally a square fort of 11 by 11 metres and about five metres high, with another R-shaped structure some 70 metres to the southwest. The western "Roman" Zohar Fort stands on a cliff above the stream: a stone-walled enclosure entered through an arched gate on its west side, with a tower on the cliff top above the wall.

Two structures share the name. The eastern, "Israeli" fort was identified in 1957 by Yochanan Aharoni and Ruthenberg, who dated it to Iron Age II on the strength of a few coarse sherds; 2025 excavations point to Ptolemaic and Seleucid use. The western, "Roman" fort on the cliff was dated by Tristram in 1864 as Crusader, and 2004 trial excavations by Eriksen-Gini, Nachlieli and Kool placed it in the Crusader and Mamluk periods, probably a post station on the Gaza–Karak road.

The two structures carry misleading names: the eastern one, called "Israeli," was dated by Aharoni to the Iron Age II but re-dated to the Ptolemaic and Seleucid periods after 2025 excavations, while the western "Roman" fort was dated by Tristram in 1864 as Crusader and by 2004 excavations to the Crusader and Mamluk periods. It probably served as a post on the mail road between Gaza and Cairo.

The site is accessible on foot but requires walking over uneven terrain and loose stones, particularly challenging in hot weather. Shade is minimal at this exposed location, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.

The eastern structure was identified in 1957 by archaeologist Yochanan Aharoni and Beno Rothenberg, who dated it to the Iron Age II (1000–800 BCE) on the basis of a single group of coarse potsherds, despite the many Hellenistic ceramics found there. A 2025 excavation reassigned the finds to the Ptolemaic and Seleucid periods.