Arab al-Jabarat (Abu Jabara)

The encampments of the Arab al-Jabarat tribe are located in the northeastern part of Gaza, extending along both sides of Wadi al-Hesi, which runs between Gaza and Asqalan (Ashkelon). Their lands lie between the villages of the Hebron Hills to the east and the Gaza area to the west. The total area of their lands is estimated at approximately 38,000 habal, equivalent to around 60,000 dunams, and extends near the villages of Brayr and al-Faluja.

According to the 1931 census, their population was estimated at 4,452 individuals, including 2,434 males and 2,008 females. By the year 1948, the number of tribe members had declined to around 820 individuals.

The historian al-Hamadhani mentioned them as descendants of Banu Jaber, and noted that their leader in his time was Nahid bin Badran. The Jabarat themselves identify as one of the clans forming part of the Bani Sakhr tribe in eastern Jordan.

The tribe is composed of 13 clans, each with its own sheikh:

1. Abu Jaber– Sheikh: Hassan bin Saleh Abu Jaber
2. Artimat Abu al-‘Adous– Sheikh: Nimr bin Hamad bin Muslim bin Salem Abu al-‘Adous
3. Artimat al-Fuqara (al-Musharfa)– Sheikh: Khalil bin Hadawi bin Saleh al-Musharfa
4. Qulazeen Thawabitah– Sheikh: Barakah bin al-Hajj Salim bin Thabit
5. Hasanat Bani Sabah– Sheikh: Al-Hajj Muhammad bin Sabah
6. ‘Amarin Bani ‘Ajlan– Sheikh: Suleiman bin ‘Ajlan
7. Jabarat al-Wahidi– Sheikh: Hussein bin Saud bin Hussein bin Rabah bin Ahmad bin Salem bin Hussein bin Bakr al-Wahidi
8. Sa‘adanah al-Nuwairi– Sheikh: Suleiman bin Muhsin bin Salamah al-Nuwairi
9. Sa‘adanah Abu Jrayban– Sheikh: Muhammad bin al-Hajj Salim bin Suleiman Abu Jrayban
10. Jabarat al-Daqas– Sheikh: Hussein bin Eid bin ‘Awda al-Daqas
11. Sawarka bin Rafi‘– Sheikh: Suleiman bin Rafi‘
12. Al-Walaydah– Sheikh: Suleiman bin Hamad Abu Sil‘ah
13. Rawawe‘ah– Sheikh: Salam bin al-Hajj Eid Abu Rawwa‘

Date of Occupation: July 17, 1948

There is no available data regarding any settlements established on the tribe’s lands before or after 1948.