Jabalia

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Jabalya


imgsize=
caption=
arname=جباليا
meaning=
founded=
type=muna
typefrom=
altOffSp=Jabalya
altUnoSp=
governorate=ng
latd=31|latm=31|lats=41.21|latNS=N
longd=34 |longm=28|longs=59.68|longEW=E
population=82,877
popyear=2006
area=
areakm=
mayor=

Jabalya ( _ar. جباليا) is a Palestinian City located four kilometers north of Gaza City. The town is in the North Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the municipality had a population of 82,877 in mid-year 2006. [ [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop12.aspx Projected Mid -Year Population] for Gaza Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics]

History

Jabalia was known for its fertile soil and citrus trees. The Mamluk ruler Alam ad-Din Sangar al-Gawli ruled the area in the 1300s and donated land for the Omeri Mosque that anchors the village. No structures from the ancient part of the mosque remain, except the portico and minaret. The rest of the mosque is of modern construction. The portico consists of three arcades supported by four stone columns. The arcades have pointed arches and the portico is covered by crossing vaults. Recently, a cemetery dating to the Byzantine and Roman periods and a mosaic floor of a church dating to the Byzantine period were excavated. The floor is decorated with drawings of wild animals, birds, plants, trees and written scripts.

In late 2006 it was the scene of a mass protest against Israeli attacks when a large number of people formed a human shield to protect a house which was about to be demolished by Israeli forces.

Foot notes

External links

* [http://www.un.org/unrwa/refugees/gaza/jabalia.html UNRWA Jabalia]