Photo: Boaz Langford

Near Ofra, within the territory of the settlement, is the southern karst field in the world, the "cave park" of Ofra and Samaria.

In the center of Ofra's cave park is the famous Chinese pit, similar to which there are about 50 other pits in a limited area.

Some of the unique caves in Ofra can go down into the bowels of the earth to a depth of tens of meters, some of them to a depth of more than 100 meters!

So what's in the caves you ask?

We will be happy to tell you, and share that there are sensational findings.

This week an article was accepted for publication in which we describe a cave species new to science, eye-degenerate, endemic and unique to Afra caves. The research is at the center of my doctoral thesis under the direction of Dr. Efrat Gavish-Regev and Prof. Dror HaBlana. The special spider was awarded and given the name "Fromkini Funnel" in honor of Professor Amos Fromkin, a resident of Afra, a pioneer of speleologists in Israel, who has been studying the Afra caves since the 1980s and also lived in Ofra since its inception.

The Ofra Caves are the only site in the world where the unique eye-degenerate species lives, preys and thrives underground.

Did you think that was all?

More unusual and unique creatures that are not known from any other cave in Israel were recently found in the Ofra caves, among them aquatic arthropods and invertebrates (living in water) which are very rare to find in our country. These species are probably also new to science and are being researched about them these days.

Did you think this was it?

What do you say about the bones and teeth of ancient rhinos, tigers and extinct donkeys?

Yes, to our astonishment these were also found in the Ofra pits and are being studied these days.

Do you know another place like this in Israel?

We did not have time to rejoice at the unique discovery, and already the spider is on the verge of severe extinction.

The land was bought by the association "The National Fund for the Building of Eretz Israel" and these days is promoting construction on Ofra's unique cave park.

This morning, the famous Chinese pit was sealed with an iron door.

Fans of nature and the landscape from all sectors and political opinions, including the residents of Ofra and Judea and Samaria, revolt against this activity.

The habitat of the Ofra Caves field is in serious danger. The field of caves has scenic, touristic and scientific importance.

We call on the residents of Ofra, the secretariat of Ofra and the people of the settlements in Judea and Samaria - protect the unique cave park of Ofra!

Say no to building on this special nature value that you have won in your backyard!

Photo: Boaz Langford