Kafr Saba

Kafr Saba was a village located on flat land in the coastal plain, near major transportation routes including the Jaffa–Tulkarm road (2.5 km east) and the Haifa–Lydda railway line (1.5 km east), which separated it from Qalqilya to the northwest. The village was built approximately 4 km southeast of the ruins of Khirbat Sabih, identified with Roman Kfar Saba, and was known as Kfar Sabt during the Crusader era.

Historically, Arab and Muslim geographers mentioned Kafr Saba, including Al-Maqdisi (985 CE) and Nasir Khusraw (1047 CE), describing it as a large village rich in figs and olives. In 1596, it was part of the Bani Sa‘b nahiya in Nablus, with 231 inhabitants paying taxes on agricultural produce and livestock. The village continued to exist through the centuries, noted in 1730 by the traveler Al-Luqaimi, who mentioned the village and the shrine of Benjamin (Prophet Yamin).

By the late 19th century, Kafr Saba had about 800 residents, a mosque, olive groves to the north, and several springs providing water. The village expanded during the British Mandate period with new houses along the Tulkarm–Jaffa road and farmland to the west. Its Muslim population had two shrines (Prophets Yamin and Yahya) and an elementary school. The villagers cultivated wheat, watermelon, cucumbers, and vegetables. By 1944–45, land use included citrus and banana groves (1,026 dunams), cereals (4,600 dunams), and irrigated orchards (355 dunams, including 30 dunams of olive trees).

Occupation and Ethnic Cleansing

Kafr Saba was situated in a region densely populated by Zionist settlements north of Tel Aviv. Despite early peace pledges made in December 1947 between village and Zionist leaders, the Haganah decided to clear the area of its Arab population before May 15, 1948. Haganah units attacked and occupied Kafr Saba on May 13, 1948, as documented by historian Benny Morris.

The operation was conducted during daylight due to the terrain of valleys and orchards. The Alexandron Brigade reported that Arab irregular fighters used deception tactics to confuse defenders and residents, causing some to return after an earlier evacuation order. Arab Liberation Army commander Fawzi al-Qawuqji stated the initial attack on May 10 was repelled and was likely reconnaissance targeting Qalqilya, but it caused panic among residents.

A second attack occurred on May 13 along a north-south axis from Tulkarm to Kafr Saba. Heavy fighting ensued, and it is believed the residents fled or were expelled. Their arrival in Qalqilya triggered its temporary evacuation.

Current Status of the Village Site

The village site is now part of residential neighborhoods within an industrial area incorporated into the modern settlement of Kfar Saba. Some original village houses remain and are used for commercial purposes. The two shrines and the elementary school still stand, as well as remnants of the village cemetery. The shrines feature arched entrances topped with domes. Surrounding lands are cultivated by Israeli farmers.

Zionist Settlements on Former Village Lands

The town of Kfar Saba, established in 1903 with about 5,000 inhabitants by 1948, lies southwest of the original village site and has grown to a population of approximately 45,000, covering most of the former village lands. The settlement of Neve Yamin, named after the Prophet Yamin and established in 1949, is located about one kilometer northeast of the village site on lands traditionally belonging to nearby