Iqrit
March 2, 2024
Jiddin, Khirbat
March 2, 2024
Khirbat ‘Arbain was situated on an elevated tract of land in the northern part of Wadi Karkara, approximately one kilometer south of the Lebanese border. To the west, the site overlooked the Mediterranean Sea, with a clear view of Haifa Bay.
The site was inhabited by the Qilaytat Bedouin, who were Muslims. By 1945, a total of 2,637 dunums of land were either irrigated or used for orchards.
The khirba (ruin) contained remnants of buildings, foundations, columns, and water cisterns, indicating historical habitation of the site.
Occupation and Ethnic Cleansing
Khirbat ‘Arbain was located within a large enclave in the Upper Galilee that remained outside Israeli control until after the Second Truce of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Following the truce, in late October 1948, Israeli forces launched Operation Hiram, aimed at occupying this broader area. While no precise details are available concerning the occupation of Khirbat ‘Arbain, it was almost certainly taken before 31 October 1948.
However, it is possible that the inhabitants were not expelled until November, along with residents of the nearby village of Iqrit.
The Village Today
The site is now covered with ruins of former homes, as well as wells and caves. Remains of animal pens are located approximately one kilometer east of the main site. Additionally, around four kilometers away, the destroyed remains of homes once used by the Qilaytat Bedouin are still visible.
Zionist Settlements on Village Lands
The settlement of Adamit (grid ref. 170276) was established in 1958 on lands to the west of the village site.
The settlement of Even Menachem (formerly known as ‘Oden, grid ref. 172273) was established in 1950 on lands to the south of the village, in close proximity to its original location.
