Ayalon

Ayalon refers to several related places in central Israel, most notably the Ayalon Valley and the Nahal Ayalon (Ayalon River). The river runs in the central coastal plain, originating in the hills east of Tel Aviv and flowing northwest toward the Mediterranean, where the valley broadens into a densely developed urban area. The name derives from ayal, the Hebrew word for gazelle, and is used for the river, the valley, and the surrounding region.

In modern times, the Ayalon Valley has become a major urban and economic corridor. The Ayalon Highway, or Highway 20, runs along much of the valley and serves as a key north–south beltway for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, connecting neighborhoods, business districts, and ports with other parts of the country. The valley’s development includes residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial zones, making it one of the most densely populated parts of central Israel.

Historically, the Ayalon area has long served as a transit route through the coastal plain, shaping settlement and commerce from ancient times to the present. A notable historical site associated with the name is the Ayalon Institute, a clandestine munitions factory operated by the Haganah during the British Mandate, which is now a museum illustrating that period.

Beyond geography, Ayalon is also used as a surname in Israel and appears in names of other institutions and localities linked to the central Israeli region.