Israel's surface waterways include perennial rivers, seasonal streams (Hebrew: nahal, Arabic: wadi) and short coastal rivers. Many flow only after rains and have been shaped by millennia of human settlement, agriculture and modern water management. This list is arranged by the body of water into which each river drains; tributaries are shown indented under their parent streams. For an external arrangement or mapping see source list and for guidance about how tributaries are presented consult tributary convention.
Mediterranean Sea (coastal drainage)
- Nahal Na'aman (Na'aman)
- Nahal Kziv
- Kishon River
- Nahal Alexander
- Yarkon River
- Ayalon (tributary of the Yarkon)
- Nahal Sorek
- Nahal Lachish
Dead Sea / Jordan River basin
The Jordan River is the principal drainage of the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea. Several important headwaters and tributaries arise on Mount Hermon and the northern hills.
- Jordan River
- Dan (one of the main northern sources)
- Banias (also called the Hermon stream)
- Hasbani (Snir) — a northern tributary entering from the Litani/upper basin region
Negev, southern and interior basins
The Negev contains large ephemeral wadis that drain internally toward lowlands or the Mediterranean. These wadis are central to desert ecology and historical travel routes.
- Nahal Besor
- Nahal Gerar (a major tributary)
- Nahal Zin
- Wadis of the Arava and the southern Rift valley
Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) drainage
The short coastal wadis entering the Gulf of Aqaba are typically dry except after infrequent storms; they are important for desert runoff and occasional flash floods.
- Ephemeral coastal wadis of Eilat and the Arava
Notes and significance
Many names appear in both Arabic and Hebrew, and political boundaries (for example the West Bank and Golan Heights) affect jurisdiction over headwaters. Rivers provide habitat, historic trade and pilgrimage routes, and today are managed for flood control, recreation and—where perennial—water supply. Because so many Israeli streams are seasonal, the term "river" in English may cover both perennial rivers and intermittent streams locally called nahal or wadi.
For detailed mapping, tributary relationships and a fuller inventory consult the linked resources above (lists and maps, tributary guidance).