'Ammuqa

The village of ‘Amuqa was situated on the southern slopes of Mount Canaan, facing north and northeast. The name may have been derived from the Syriac word “Ammiqa”, meaning deep or low-lying. During the Crusader period, the village was referred to as “Ammouka”.

In 1596, ‘Amuqa was a village in the subdistrict of Jira, in the district of Safad, with a recorded population of 391. It paid taxes on a variety of agricultural products, including wheat, barley, olives, and grapes, among others. In modern times, ‘Amuqa was so small that it was classified as a farmstead in the Index Gazetteer of Palestine compiled during the British Mandate.

The population of the village was entirely Muslim. Locally, the village was well-known for its seven springs. Agriculture formed the backbone of the local economy. Residents cultivated primarily grains, though 66 dunums of land were dedicated to olive cultivation in the 1942–1943 agricultural season. In 1944–1945, a total of 1,164 dunums was used for cereals, and 195 dunums were irrigated or used for orchards.

In the vicinity of the village, several ancient ruins were found, including an archaeological site containing tombstones, as well as two ruins (khirbas) containing column fragments and inscribed stones.

Occupation and Depopulation

‘Amuqa fell on 24 May 1948 following an attack by Palmach forces during the course of Operation Yiftach (see Ayn al-Qamh, Safad District). According to accounts, the villagers fled due to the Jewish bombardment, fear of being harmed if captured, and the risk of being caught in the crossfire between warring armies.

The Village Today

No original village structures remain standing. The site is now overgrown, predominantly with eucalyptus, fig, and olive trees. The surrounding lands are mostly covered by forests. Portions of the land are cultivated by residents of the nearby Amuka settlement.

Israeli Settlements on Village Lands

The Israeli settlement of Amuka (Settlement Code: 199267) was established in 1980 on the lands of the former village. It lies approximately 1 kilometer southeast of the original village site.