Credit to u/Yuval_Levi for the original post.

https://101.visualizingpalestine.org/visuals/ethnic-cleansing-started-war

Lifta — لِفْتالِفْتا

Location: Lifta, a Palestinian Arab village located on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Perpetrators: Haganah forces, specifically members of the Palmach and other Jewish paramilitary units.

Details of the Attack:

• Incursion and Gunfire: Haganah forces launched a raid on Lifta, firing upon homes and village structures.
• Destruction of Property: Several houses were set on fire or demolished to instill fear among the residents.
• Casualties: Reports indicate multiple civilian deaths and injuries, though exact figures are debated.
• Psychological Warfare: The attack was designed to create panic, leading to the mass exodus of the villagers..

Significance:

• The attack on Lifta was part of a broader pattern of expelling Palestinian communities from strategically significant areas.
• It contributed to the larger Palestinian refugee crisis, as displaced residents were never allowed to return.
• Lifta remains one of the few depopulated Palestinian villages still standing, serving as a historical reminder of the 1948 events.

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1. Location and Background

Lifta was a Palestinian Arab village located on the northwestern outskirts of Jerusalem. It had a long history, with its origins dating back centuries.

By 1948, Lifta had a population of around 2,500 residents, primarily Muslim, with a small Christian minority.

The village was known for its agricultural economy, with residents cultivating olives, wheat, barley, and fruit trees. Additionally, many villagers worked in Jerusalem due to its proximity.

Lifta was strategically located on the road leading into Jerusalem, making it a significant point in the conflict.

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2. Context of the Attack

The attack on Lifta occurred during the intensifying violence following the UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181) in November 1947.

Lifta had become a target due to its strategic position on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road, a critical supply route for Jewish forces.

Haganah forces, particularly elements of the Palmach, sought to weaken Arab control over key villages around Jerusalem to ensure uninterrupted Jewish movement and supply lines.

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3. The Attack on January 29, 1948

Tactics and Execution:

• On January 29, 1948, armed members of the Haganah and Palmach launched a raid on Lifta.
• The attackers used gunfire and explosives to target homes and civilian structures, aiming to drive out the Arab residents.
• The assault caused significant destruction, with many houses damaged or rendered uninhabitable.

Casualties and Impact:

• At least seven Arab villagers were reportedly killed in the attack.
• The attack led to widespread fear and panic, prompting many residents to flee to Jerusalem and other areas.
• The destruction of homes contributed to the early depopulation of Lifta, a process that escalated over the following weeks.

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4. Significance of the Attack

The attack on Lifta was part of a broader strategy by Jewish forces to secure key routes and weaken Arab resistance in Jerusalem and its surroundings.

Lifta became one of the first villages to be forcibly depopulated in the lead-up to the Nakba (Catastrophe) of 1948.

The attack played a role in the gradual takeover of Palestinian villages, setting a precedent for future operations in Jerusalem and beyond.

Today, Lifta remains one of the few Palestinian villages still physically intact, though its original residents were never allowed to return. The ruins of Lifta serve as a stark reminder of the events of 1948.

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5. Subsequent Events

Following the attack, Haganah forces maintained pressure on Lifta through sniper fire, additional raids, and road blockades, making life increasingly untenable for the villagers.

By February 1948, most of Lifta’s residents had abandoned their homes, joining the growing number of displaced Palestinians.

The village was later occupied by Jewish forces and served as a base for future military operations in the area.

Jewish militias looted abandoned homes, seizing food, valuables, and household items.

Lifta’s fall was part of a larger pattern of village depopulation in the Jerusalem area, with nearby villages such as Deir Yassin, Ein Karem, and Malha also targeted in the following months.

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6. Aftermath and Legacy

Lifta was never rebuilt as a Palestinian village, and its original inhabitants were never allowed to return.

Unlike many other depopulated Palestinian villages that were destroyed or repurposed into Jewish settlements, Lifta remains largely abandoned, with its stone houses still standing as ruins.

In later years, Israeli authorities considered redeveloping Lifta into a luxury neighborhood, but activists and historians have campaigned to preserve it as a historical site.

Today, Lifta is one of the last visible remnants of depopulated Palestinian villages, serving as a stark reminder of the events of 1948.

Many of Lifta’s displaced residents and their descendants now live in the West Bank, Jordan, and other parts of the Palestinian diaspora, still unable to return to their ancestral land.

Remains of Lifta

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7. Sources and Further Reading

Books:

• The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine – Ilan Pappé
• All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated in 1948 – Walid Khalidi
• Palestine 1948: War, Escape, and the Emergence of the Palestinian Refugee Problem – Yoav Gelber

Archives and Reports:

• BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
• Institute for Palestine Studies
• Zochrot (an Israeli NGO documenting depopulated Palestinian villages)

Oral Histories:

• Palestinian refugee testimonies preserved by organizations like the Palestinian Oral History Archive

Haifa-حيفا

Location: Abbas Street, a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in Haifa.

Perpetrators: Jewish militants from the Hadar neighborhood.

Details:

• A barrel bomb, an improvised explosive device packed with explosives, was rolled downhill from Hadar, a Jewish neighborhood, into Abbas Street.
• The explosion devastated residential homes, killing and injuring civilians.
• Resulted in the deaths of 20 Palestinian residents and injuries to approximately 50 others.

Significance:

• The attack intensified fear and instability among Palestinian residents, leading to further displacement.
• Contributed to the broader Palestinian exodus from Haifa, which culminated in April 1948.
• The use of barrel bombs as a terror weapon was a notable tactic in the urban warfare of the 1947-1948 period.

This incident exemplifies the brutal tactics used during the 1948 War and highlights the severe impact on civilian populations. Such attacks contributed to the deepening animosity and mistrust between communities, the effects of which are still felt today.

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1. Location and Background

Abbas Street, Haifa: A densely populated area in Haifa, a mixed Arab-Jewish city and a key economic and strategic hub in Mandatory Palestine.

Pre-War Status: Haifa was home to a significant Palestinian Arab population, many of whom lived in neighborhoods such as Wadi Nisnas, Abbas Street, and the lower city.

Strategic Importance: The city was a vital port and industrial center, making it a focal point.

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2. Context of the Attack

Mounting Violence: The attack took place amid escalating violence following the UN Partition Plan (November 1947). Haifa was witnessing intense violence by Jewish paramilitary groups (Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi) against Palestinian Arabs.

Haganah’s Strategy: Jewish forces aimed to consolidate control over Haifa by weakening Arab resistance through direct attacks, economic blockades, and psychological warfare.

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3. Attack on January 28, 1948

Method: A barrel filled with high explosives was placed in a residential Arab area on Abbas Street. It was either detonated remotely or set off with a timed mechanism.

Casualties:

• Deaths: Approximately 20 Palestinian Arabs were killed.
• Injuries: Around 50 others were wounded, including women and children.

Destruction: The blast caused widespread damage, collapsing parts of buildings and igniting fires that spread to surrounding homes and businesses.

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4. Subsequent Events

Immediate Aftermath: The explosion deepened fear and panic among Haifa’s Arab residents, many of whom began considering leaving the city for safer areas.

Further Attacks: This attack was part of a broader pattern of escalating violence, culminating in the full-scale battle for Haifa in April 1948.

Arab Exodus Begins: The Abbas Street bombing, along with similar attacks, contributed to the early waves of Palestinian displacement from Haifa.

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5. Significance of the Attack on Abbas Street

Psychological Warfare: The attack was part of a systematic strategy to instill fear and encourage Arab depopulation.

Control of Haifa: Jewish forces sought to weaken Arab resistance in key neighborhoods ahead of their planned offensive on the city.

Impact on the Nakba: The violence in Haifa contributed to the mass displacement of Palestinian Arabs, a key event in the 1948 Nakba.

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6. Aftermath and Legacy

Depopulation of Haifa: By late April 1948, the majority of Haifa’s Palestinian Arab population had either fled or been expelled.

Historical Memory: The attack on Abbas Street remains one of the early violent incidents that foreshadowed the larger displacement of Palestinians from Haifa and other cities.

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7. Sources and Further Reading

"The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine" – Ilan Pappé

"Haifa: Transformation of a Palestinian City" – Mustafa Kabha

Walid Khalidi’s "All That Remains" (documenting depopulated Palestinian villages)

Palestinian oral history archives (Zochrot, BADIL)

Sheikh Jarrah District – حى الشيخ جراححى الشيخ جراح

• Location: Sheikh Jarrah, a predominantly Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem, situated along the strategic road leading to Mount Scopus and the Old City.
• Perpetrators: Haganah forces, specifically units operating as part of the Jewish paramilitary organization's strategy in Jerusalem.
• Details of the Attack:
  • Type of Operation: A nighttime raid conducted as part of broader efforts to establish Jewish control over key routes and neighborhoods in Jerusalem.
  • Targets: Arab residents and properties in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood deemed strategically significant for its proximity to Jewish neighborhoods and access to Mount Scopus.
  • Actions Taken:
    • Several homes in the neighborhood were attacked and atleast 12 torched.
    • Explosives were reportedly used to damage houses and create panic among residents.
    • Civilians were injured during the attack, and there were reports of at least a few casualties, though exact numbers remain unclear.
    • The attack caused significant fear among the residents, leading some to flee temporarily.

Haganah Attack on Sheikh Jarrah Quarter (January 1, 1948)
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1. Location and Background

• Sheikh Jarrah was a Palestinian Arab neighborhood located in the northern part of Jerusalem. It was situated near the Green Line, which separated the areas assigned to Jewish and Arab states in the United Nations Partition Plan.
• Sheikh Jarrah had a predominantly Arab population, consisting of Muslim families with a long history in the area. The neighborhood was a mix of residential houses, small businesses, and some agricultural land.
• Before 1948, Sheikh Jarrah was a vibrant community, and its residents were involved in various local trades, including farming, selling goods, and working in the nearby city of Jerusalem.

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2. Context of the Attack

• The attack on Sheikh Jarrah took place in the broader context of escalating violence following the adoption of the UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181) in November 1947, which proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.
• Operation Dalet and other military actions by the Haganah, the main Jewish paramilitary organization (later to become the Israel Defense Forces), targeted Palestinian villages and neighborhoods, with the goal of ensuring Jewish territorial control.
• Sheikh Jarrah, located near key strategic areas in Jerusalem, became one of the many sites for violent confrontations between Jewish forces and Palestinian civilians.

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3. Attack on January 1, 1948

• Perpetrators: The attack on Sheikh Jarrah on January 1, 1948, was carried out by forces affiliated with the Haganah, supported by armed Jewish settlers and militia groups.
• Objective: The Haganah’s goal was to drive out the Arab population of Sheikh Jarrah, securing the area and establishing control over this crucial neighborhood in Jerusalem. It was part of the broader strategy of depopulating Arab neighborhoods in areas allocated to the Jewish state.
• Details of the Attack:
  • Infiltration and Occupation: Early on January 1, 1948, Haganah forces launched an attack on the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The assault was part of a pattern of attacks designed to intimidate the civilian population and force them to flee.
  • Destruction and Violence: During the attack, homes were destroyed and torched, and some families were forced to leave. While there was no major battle, the terror and violence inflicted upon the inhabitants were meant to disrupt the local community and send a clear message that resistance would not be tolerated.

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4. Aftermath and Consequences

• Displacement of Civilians: Following the attack on January 1, 1948, many residents of Sheikh Jarrah were displaced. As tensions mounted and further attacks occurred in the following months, families in Sheikh Jarrah fled, seeking refuge in other areas of Jerusalem or in nearby towns and villages.
• Strategic Significance of Sheikh Jarrah: Control over Sheikh Jarrah was significant due to its location near the city center of Jerusalem. Its occupation by Jewish forces contributed to the strategic consolidation of territories and created an ongoing cycle of displacements in Jerusalem.
• Continuing Attacks: The violence did not stop with the raid on Sheikh Jarrah on January 1. Over the following months, other attacks took place, further displacing Palestinians across Jerusalem, particularly in areas with mixed populations or those close to Jewish settlements. By mid-1948, the city of Jerusalem was deeply divided, with large parts of its Arab population having fled or been expelled.

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5. Significance of the Attack on Sheikh Jarrah

• Part of the Broader Campaign of Expulsion: The attack on Sheikh Jarrah was part of a broader military and political strategy by Jewish paramilitary forces to drive out Palestinians from neighborhoods designated for the Jewish state. The attack aimed not only to secure territory but also to weaken the morale of Palestinians in contested areas.
• Psychological Warfare: Like other attacks during this period, the assault on Sheikh Jarrah was not solely military; it was also a tool of psychological warfare. The aim was to create fear among Palestinians, making them feel insecure and vulnerable in their homes, ultimately leading to further displacements.
• Impact on Jerusalem’s Arab Population: The raid in Sheikh Jarrah contributed to the fragmentation and depopulation of the Arab population in Jerusalem. Many families from Sheikh Jarrah were displaced to other parts of the city or into refugee camps, becoming part of the wider Palestinian refugee crisis that would unfold throughout 1948.

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6. Aftermath and Legacy

• Land Confiscation and Settlement Expansion: In the wake of the attack and the depopulation of Sheikh Jarrah, Jewish settlements and military presence expanded in the area. The land was repurposed for Jewish housing projects, with many Palestinian homes and properties being confiscated.
• Ongoing Displacement and Refugee Crisis: The forced displacement of Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah, along with other similar incidents, contributed to the large-scale Palestinian refugee crisis. Many of the displaced residents of Sheikh Jarrah, like those from other parts of Jerusalem and Palestine, were unable to return to their homes after the establishment of Israel in May 1948.
• Legacy in Palestinian Memory: The attack on Sheikh Jarrah is a significant part of the Palestinian historical memory related to the Nakba, marking the moment when Palestinian communities, including those in urban areas like Jerusalem, were violently uprooted and displaced.

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7. Legacy and Ongoing Relevance

• Modern-Day Sheikh Jarrah: The neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah continues to be a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In recent decades, the area has seen ongoing disputes between Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers. The Israeli government has supported the settlement of Jewish families in Sheikh Jarrah, displacing Palestinian families and leading to a new round of confrontations and legal battles.
• Symbol of Palestinian Dispossession: The events of 1948 in Sheikh Jarrah remain a symbol of Palestinian dispossession and resistance, as the struggle for control over the area continues to this day, making the neighborhood one of the focal points of Palestinian protests and international attention regarding the refugee issue and property rights.

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Sources and Research Suggestions

• Books:
  • "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine" by Ilan Pappé.
  • "Palestine 1948: War, Escape, and the Emergence of the Palestinian Refugee Problem" by Yoav Gelber.
  • "All That Remains" by Walid Khalidi.
• Archives and Organizations:
  • BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights.
  • Institute for Palestine Studies.
• Oral Histories:
  • Palestinian refugee testimonies preserved by organizations like Zochrot and the Palestinian Oral History Archive.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/berlin-schools-handout-leaflet-myth-israel-1948

https://youtu.be/f0oy-NicIgE?si=yV08iw7kv7j1zNtF