Patish Fortress, Archaeological site in Ofakim, Israel

Patish Fortress is an archaeological site in Ofakim containing ancient walls and structures across a large area. These remains show both military and residential purposes from multiple historical periods.

The Ottoman authorities built the fortress in 1894, naming it al-Jahir in Turkish and Qal'at al-Futis in Arabic, to station troops, customs officers, border police and a court amid Bedouin feuds over grazing in the northern Negev. It consisted of a long stone building with two large halls. Below its remains lies a large quarry cave from the Byzantine period.

The Arabic name Khirbat Futis preserves the Byzantine town name Poutis, recorded on the 6th-century Madaba map. The Ottoman fortress was called al-Jahir by the Turks and Qal'at al-Futis, "Fortress of Patish", by the Bedouin. Before 1948 a small Bedouin village of the al-Qudayrat clan of the Tiyaha tribe stood by Wadi Futis, herding sheep and goats and growing wheat, barley and watermelons.

The remains are accessible from Ofakim via marked paths for exploration. It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes and stay on designated areas while visiting.

The Ottoman fortress built in 1894 was called "al-Jahir" by the Turks and "Qal'at al-Futis" by the Bedouin. It housed customs officers, border police, trade-route guards and a judicial system, and consisted of a long stone building with two large halls.