Al-Jura

Al-Jura (Arabic: الجورة) was a Palestinian village that was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, located immediately adjacent to the towns of Ashkelon and the ruins of ancient Ascalon. In 1945, the village had a population of approximately 2,420 mostly Muslim inhabitants. Though defended by the Egyptian Army, al-Jura was nevertheless captured by Israel's Givati Brigade in a November 4, 1948, offensive as part of Operation Yoav.

al-Jura
الجورة
Part of the former village site, in 2015
Etymology: the Hollow
1870s map
1940s map
modern map
1940s with modern overlay map
A series of historical maps of the area around Al-Jura (click the buttons)
al-Jura
Location within the Mandatory Palestine
Coordinates: 31°39′57″N 34°33′17″E
Palestine grid107/119
Geopolitical entityMandatory Palestine
SubdistrictGaza
Date of depopulationNovember 4–5, 1948
Area
  Total12,224 dunams (12.224 km2 or 4.720 sq mi)
Population
 (1945)
  Total2,420
Cause(s) of depopulationMilitary assault by Yishuv forces
Current LocalitiesAshkelon

Its residents had their origins in Egypt, Hebron, and Bedouin communities.

The Shrine of Husayn's Head was located outside the town, until it was destroyed by the Israeli army in 1950.

The founder and spiritual leader of the Hamas militant organization Ahmed Yassin was born in al-Jura.

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