al-Dirdara

The village was situated on a flat plain, facing a mountain range to the east and overlooking a fertile plain to the north and south. Although most of its houses were built from mud, some were constructed with stone. The villagers cultivated the surrounding fertile lands, particularly those extending to the south and southwest. Their main agricultural produce included grains, vegetables, citrus fruits, figs, and olives.

In the agricultural year 1944–1945:

·1,623 dunums were allocated for grain cultivation,

·794 dunums were irrigated or used for orchards.

Current Status of the Village

The site today consists of a mound of stones and earth, overgrown with trees. A water canal runs along the northern edge of the site, flowing from north to south. The surrounding area is cultivated.

Israeli Settlements on Village Lands

During the 1948 war, the settlement of Eyal, established in 1947 on village lands, was destroyed. After the expulsion of Al-Dardara’s residents, the Israeli authorities rebuilt the settlement, renaming it HaGoferim, and later Ashmura in 1953. The settlement is currently uninhabited.

Occupation and Depopulation

The exact date of the occupation of Al-Dardara is unknown. It is likely that the village was occupied during Operation Yiftach (see: Abil al-Qamh, Safad District), in late April or May 1948. Regardless, the village was under Israeli control by early July 1948, at the end of the first truce of the war.

According to the History of the War of Independence, the village served as a launching base for Operation Brosh, which targeted the Syrian bridgehead on the Syrian border during the Ten Days of Fighting (July 8–18, 1948). Syrian forces attempted to recapture the village shortly thereafter but were forced to withdraw after encountering a minefield and losing at least fifty soldiers, according to Haganah sources.

The 1949 Armistice Agreement between Israel and Syria designated the village and surrounding area as a demilitarized zone. By that time, however, an Israeli settlement had already been established on the lands of Al-Dardara.