Nitzanim is a collective settlement on the coastal plain, 7 kilometers northeast of Ashkelon. In 1946-47 Nitzanim's coast was a drop-off point for illegal immigrants, arriving in ships from Europe.
During the War of Independence bitter battles were fought in Nitzanim, resulting in the conquest of Nitzanim by the Egyptian army. Many of its defenders were killed, others taken captive. A few months later Nitzanim was reclaimed by the IDF.