Tantura was one of the villages in the Haifa District, located approximately 30 kilometers south of Haifa. It was among the last Palestinian villages along the Mediterranean coast, with a population that exceeded 1,200 inhabitants.

Tantura flourished during the 18th century, largely because of its harbor, which was used to export cotton from Palestine to markets around the world.

In May 1948, a decision was made to either expel the village’s inhabitants or subjugate them. Waves of terror swept through the village, which resisted for several days until it was eventually occupied. Israeli forces then began expelling the residents and imprisoning the men.

Testimonies later brought to light what had remained forgotten for many years: a massacre in which approximately 200 unarmed villagers were killed.

Source: Al-Ghad