A region in the upper and eastern portion of Galilee, bounding the Golan Heights. Swamps were formed around Lake Huleh and were the cause of malarial conditions, leading to high mortality rates and low living standards. Although earlier plans existed, Israel launched a major effort to drain the swamps beginning in 1951. By 1958, the project was concluded and successful; fertile land in the valley was reclaimed, water was made available for irrigation, and the threat of malaria was eliminated.
Historical Dictionary of Israel. Bernard Reich David H. Goldberg. Edited by Jon Woronoff..