Nuris

The village of Nuris was built along both sides of a shallow valley at the base of the steep slopes of Mount al-Mazar. The railway line connecting Haifa to Samakh (and eventually the Hejaz Railway) ran to the northeast of the village. One dirt road connected Nuris to the village of al-Mazar via the mountain top, while another linked it to the village of Zir'in. Crusader sources referred to the village as

Noret

. The surrounding area, particularly near Nuris, was the site of the historic Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, in which the Mamluk armies of Egypt defeated the Mongols in a decisive confrontation. According to Ottoman tax records from 1596, Nuris was a village in the subdistrict of Jenin, part of the district of al-Lajjun, with a population of 88. The village paid taxes on agricultural products such as wheat, barley, olives, goats, and beehives. In the early 19th century, British traveler Buckingham noted that Nuris was surrounded by olive trees. By the late 19th century, it was described as a small village built on rocky terrain that obscured much of its area, located about 185 meters above a nearby valley. The modern layout of the village was rectangular, oriented along a northeast-southwest axis. Most houses were constructed of mud and cement, and the village expanded westward on both sides of the road connecting Nuris to surrounding farms. The population of Nuris consisted entirely of Muslims. The village had a mosque, a small market, and a primary school established in 1888 during the Ottoman period. Several water springs existed north of the village, the most notable being Ain Jalut (or Jalud)—one of the largest in Palestine—used for household needs and irrigation of village orchards. In 1944–1945, land use in the village was as follows:

• 1 dunum for citrus and bananas

• 2,935 dunums for grains

• 242 dunums irrigated or used for orchards, including 40 dunums planted with olive trees

Ancient artifacts found in the area include a stone sarcophagus, though no comprehensive archaeological study has been conducted.

Occupation and Depopulation

Before the occupation of Nuris on March 18, 1948, a commander of the Arab Liberation Army (ALA) informed the general command that the “Battle of Nuris had ended,” amid British intervention. Reports indicated that ALA forces had control over the village’s surroundings and the northern hills.

On March 19, Haganah forces resumed attacks on Nuris and Zir'in, aiming to eliminate both villages, which commanded the road between Haifa and Baysan. According to reports, heavy casualties were inflicted on Haganah forces during these attacks. The New York Times reported that a Haganah raiding unit approaching the village on March 19 was completely wiped out by Arab defenders. Later the same day, a larger Haganah force approached and lost five more men.

A British police communiqué confirmed that British forces intervened at the site, firing mortar shells at Arab forces and encouraging the Jewish settlers to return to their colonies.

Nuris was attacked again on May 29–30, 1948, and its residents were expelled, according to Israeli historian Benny Morris. The History of the War of Independence states that the attacking force was the Fourth Battalion of the Golani Brigade, which had earlier participated in the capture of the Baysan Valley and was preparing to support the assault on Jenin.

Morris also notes that the Palmach High Command had issued orders as early as April 19 to destroy enemy bases in Nuris and two other villages. It remains unclear whether those orders were carried out at that time.

The New York Times reported that two Israeli columns advanced toward the Triangle area, despite facing strong resistance, and captured both Nuris and al-Mazar.

However, about six weeks later, the Associated Press reported that Iraqi army units and Palestinian irregulars succeeded in expelling Israeli forces from Nuris and six other nearby villages. According to the AP, Arab infantry, supported by armored vehicles, artillery, and mortars, crossed open plains north of Jenin to reclaim the villages. Some of these villages remained under Arab control afterward, though specific details are unclear.

The Village Today

The site of the village is now marked by heaps of stone rubble, overgrown with pine and oak trees. Some of the surrounding lands are now fenced pastures used for grazing, while others are cultivated. Cactus, fig, and olive trees still grow near the former village location.

Zionist colonies on Village Lands

In 1950, the colony of Yohanan (Yurit) (Grid Reference: 183216) was established on the lands of Nuris, to the northwest of the village site.

Source: Wafa News Agency/Archives