 In 1838 both "Faghur" and "Beit Sawir" were reported as "in ruins or deserted," likewise in the late 19th century.To the south of Beit Sawir were the remains of a megalithic stone tower of great antiquity but unknown purpose.The settlement of Alon Shvut was planned by Moshe Moskovic, who had been a member of the Masu'ot Yitzhak settlement in the Etzion Bloc before 1948.