Al-Jiyya (Arabic: الجيّة) was a Palestinian Arab village located 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) northeast of Gaza City. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War as part of Operation Barak.
History: Al-Jiyya's history dates back centuries, with archaeological evidence suggesting continuous habitation. During the Ottoman period, it was part of the Gaza Sanjak. In 1596, it was recorded as a village with a population primarily engaged in agriculture, paying taxes on crops such as wheat, barley, and fruit, as well as on goats and beehives.
In the late 19th century, the village was described as situated on a low mound, with a well to the south. Its houses were made of adobe and it had a modest population. By the British Mandate period, Al-Jiyya had grown, and its economy remained largely agricultural, relying on dry farming of cereals and cultivation of citrus. The village had a mosque and a school for boys, established during the Mandate.
Geography: The village was situated on flat terrain in the northern Gaza Strip, near the coastal plain. Its lands were mostly agricultural, cultivated with grains and citrus orchards. Neighboring villages included Barbara to the north, Dimra to the east, and Al-Majdal (now Ashkelon) to the south.
Depopulation (1948): Al-Jiyya was captured by Israeli forces on November 4, 1948, during Operation Barak, an offensive launched by the Givati Brigade as part of Operation Yoav. This operation aimed to open a land corridor to the besieged Jewish settlements in the Negev. Following its capture, the village's inhabitants were expelled, and its houses were subsequently destroyed.
Present Day: After its depopulation, the lands of Al-Jiyya were incorporated into the State of Israel. The Israeli moshav of Beit Shikma was established in 1950 on part of the former village lands, about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) west of the village site. Today, no buildings remain from the original village, and the area is primarily agricultural land. Some remnants of the village, such as cactuses and carob trees, still mark the former site.