‘Arab Suqrir

Arab Saqrir (Arab Bu Suwayrih)

The village was spread over a flat land area in the coastal plain, to the northeast of Isdud, 38 kilometers from Gaza, at an average elevation of 25 meters above sea level. Its original inhabitants were Muslim Bedouins who gradually settled the site, built stone houses, and became farmers. In 1945, the village’s population reached 390.

Displacement

The village was the target of the first operational proposal by the Haganah calling for the destruction of the village, which was on January 11, 1948 (the proposal was as follows: The village should be destroyed and its males should be killed). The coastal sector in which the village was located likely came under Haganah control when the neighboring village of Bshit fell on May 10, 1948. The Givati ​​Brigade occupied the entire area while expanding its deployment to the south and west during Operation Barak.

Colonization

There are two colonies on the village lands: Nir Galim, which was established in 1949, and Ashdod, which was established in 1955. The Bnei Darom colony, which was established in 1949, is adjacent to it to the east on lands that used to belong to the city of Isdud.

The village today

The site is covered with wild grasses, cacti and trees. Two houses remain standing; one of them is located in the middle of a citrus orchard and has a cement structure, walls, a roof (attic), and a ladder leaning on the dilapidated side wall.

Reference: Walid Khalidi, All That Remains, pp. 560, 561.