The village of ʿArab al-ʿArida was located on a broad, flat expanse of land, from which the highlands rising to the east of the Jordan River were visible. A wide wadi (valley) extended from east to west along the village’s northern boundary. The village lay on the eastern side of a main road that led north to Baysan (Beit She’an) and south to Jericho, and was connected to this road by a secondary route.

Several springs within and near the village supplied water for domestic use and irrigation. Parts of the village lands were covered with bramble (blackberry) shrubs. The residents—originally Bedouins who had gradually settled in the area—depended on the cultivation of grains and the herding of livestock for their livelihood. They also grew vegetables along the banks of small streams fed by the nearby springs. 

In 1944/1945, the villagers cultivated 600 dunums of land with cereal crops. Two archaeological sites were located to the south of the village: Tall al-Raʿyan (199204) and Tall al-Qurud (198204). The latter was particularly well-known due to the Islamic-period pottery found on its surface.

The Village Today

No traces remain of the village. The entire site is now planted with wheat. The archaeological site of Tall al-Raʿyan has been converted into a garbage dump.

Zionist Settlements on Village Lands

The Israeli settlement of Sede Eliyahu (198205), established in 1939, is located on village land, east of the original site.