al-Sakhina

Al-Sakhneh is a Bedouin tribe whose settlements, known as ‘Arab al-Sakhneh, are located northwest of the city of Baysan. This community, which originally consisted of tents or Bedouin encampments, is intersected by the main paved Baysan–Afula road. Additionally, a vehicle-accessible road branches from this route to connect Ayn al-Sakhneh with the village of al-Marsas in northern Baysan.

The settlement is located approximately 10 km from Baysan, with a total land area of 6,400 dunums, of which 172 dunums are allocated for roads and valleys. It is bordered by the lands of Baysan and Tell al-Shawk. Most of the agricultural lands of Al-Sakhneh are planted with grapevines and fruit trees. The cultivated area is concentrated in the north and northwest of Al-Sakhneh, while palm trees are found to the east. Forest trees cover a wide area in the northwest of Al-Sakhneh’s lands, and orchards of vegetables and fruits extend along the left bank of the Jalud River.

The population was estimated at 374 individuals in 1931, increasing to 530 in 1945. The inhabitants belonged to the al-Qurut clan, the al-Muqbil al-Zubaidi, and ‘Arab al-Saqr tribes.

The village includes hills and archaeological sites featuring ruins, foundations, columns, and paved floors. Nearby ruins include Khirbat Tall Tummas, Tall al-Zahra al-Kabira, and Tall al-Zahra al-Saghira.

Al-Sakhneh is situated 90 meters below sea level, perched on the slopes of the western escarpment of the Jordan Valley, overlooking the Baysan plain to the east. The Jalud Stream flows through its lands. This mountainous escarpment includes Jabal Lil-Qita‘, directly west of the site, and the Fuq‘a Mountains to the northwest. Numerous springs are found in the area, including Ayn al-Sakhneh and Ayn al-‘Asi to the east, Ayn Zahra to the northeast, and Ayn al-Jusq to the south.

Occupation and Forced Displacement

Zionist armed organizations demolished the village and displaced its inhabitants, who numbered approximately 615 in 1948. This occurred on 12 May 1948. By 1998, the total number of refugees from this village was estimated at approximately 3,776 individuals.

Zionist Settlements on Village Lands

The Zionists established the kibbutz Tel ‘Amal Etir David on the ruins of Al-Sakhneh. The village was destroyed by Jewish forces, and its inhabitants were expelled in 1948. On the site, they later established a tourist resort called Gan HaShilusha and a fish-breeding center to the east of the original village location.