al-Tall

Al-Tell, a twin village of Al-Nahr, was situated on a low sandy hill in the northeastern part of the coastal plain within the Galilee region. The main road connecting Tarshiha and the settlement of Nahariya to Acre (Akka) passed through the village. Both Al-Tell and its twin Al-Nahr were built upon the ruins of an ancient site dating back to the 18th century BCE.

By the late 19th century, Al-Tell had a population of approximately 200 residents. The villagers operated a water-powered mill near the village to grind grain. They cultivated olive trees, pomegranates, and mulberries. The village was rectangular in shape, extending from the southeast to the northwest. Its houses were constructed from various materials, including stone, cement, brick, and reinforced concrete, and were built close together. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslims. Agriculture and animal husbandry formed the primary means of livelihood.

Extensive archaeological ruins surrounded by a wall were discovered at the site known as Zahret Al-Tell, near the village.

Occupation and Ethnic Cleansing

Al-Tell was one of the villages occupied during the second phase of Operation Ben-Ami on 20–21 May 1948. It likely shared the fate of the villages in western Galilee targeted by the Carmeli Brigade. Following the orders of the brigade commander, Moshe Carmel, the village was destroyed shortly after its fall. This destruction served as a punitive measure against the residents to ensure that they could never return or desire to do so.

The Village Today

The site is now covered with rubble from the stone houses and wild vegetation. A single stone house remains standing, although its facade is missing and it is close to collapse. Cactus plants and fig trees grow on the southern slopes of the site. The northern slopes contain a cemetery with four identifiable Roman and Byzantine tombs, distinguishable from others. A Christ’s Thorn shrub grows in the middle of the cemetery.

Recent excavations have uncovered several ancient graves, transforming the area into an archaeological site.

Zionist Settlements on Village Lands

There are no Israeli settlements on the lands of the village. However, some public facilities belonging to the Mekorot Water Company are located near the site.