Khirbat Zalafa خربة زلفة Khirbet Zalafa, Zalafa | |
|---|---|
| Etymology: "Thecistern"[1] | |
.jpg) 1870s map.jpg) 1940s map.jpg) modern map.jpg) 1940s with modern overlay mapA series of historical maps of the area around Khirbat Zalafa (click the buttons) | |
  Khirbat Zalafa Location withinMandatory Palestine | |
| Coordinates:32°24′14″N34°56′33″E / 32.40389°N 34.94250°E /32.40389; 34.94250 | |
| Palestine grid | 144/201 |
| Geopolitical entity | Mandatory Palestine |
| Subdistrict | Tulkarm |
| Date of depopulation | April 15, 1948[2] |
| Area (6,865 Arab, 617 Jewish, 231 Public) | |
• Total | 7,713dunams (7.713 km2; 2.978 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 210 |
| Cause(s) of depopulation | Fear of being caught up in the fighting |
Khirbat Zalafa (Arabic:خربة زلفة) was a smallPalestinian Arab village in theTulkarm Subdistrict, located about 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) northwest ofTulkarm. It was depopulated during the1948 Palestine war. It was occupied byYishuv forces on April 15, 1948 as a part of operation "Coastal Clearing."[5]
Remains from a settlement dating to theRoman-Byzantine era have been found here.[6]
In the modern era, the people of Khirbat Zalafa came fromAttil to farm the village land. Gradually they settled in the village so they could be closer to their land. In the late 19th century, Khirbat Zalafa was described as a smallhamlet with springs to the south.[7]
Palestinian Rural History Project (PRHP) oral histories Excavations revealed traces of Late Ottomaninfantjar-burials, commonly associated withnomads oritinerant workers ofEgyptian origins.[8]
In the1922 census of Palestine there were 63 villagers, allMuslim.[9] At the time of the1931 census, the village was counted underAttil, together withJalama andAl-Manshiyya.[10]
The village had a small core of houses, with many dwellings scattered throughout on the agricultural lands. The agriculture was based on watermelons, vegetables, grain and olives.[11]
By the1944/45 statistics the village had 210 Muslims,[3] while jurisdiction was 7,713 dunams, of which 6,865 was Arab owned, 617 was Jewish owned, while 231 was publicly owned.[4] Of this, 6,798dunums were allotted tocereals, 38 dunum was devoted to citrus and bananas ad 6 dunums were irrigated or used for orchards,[12] while 3 dunams were classified as built-up, urban land.[13]
The Palestinian historianWalid Khalidi described the village in 1992: "The village has been completely levelled. Both the original site and the surrounding lands are covered with Israeli citrus orchards."[11]
There are no Israeli settlements on village land.[11]
