Dura

Basic Information

Type

City

Governorate

Hebron

Region

West Bank - Southern

Overview

Dura is one of the largest towns in Hebron Governorate, located southwest of Hebron city. An ancient settlement with roots dating to the Canaanite period, Dura has historically been an important agricultural center for the southern West Bank. Since 1967, Dura has faced systematic land confiscation for settlements including Negohot, Telem, and Mitzpe Lachish, as well as for Highway 60 bypass road expansion. In 2024, the Israeli authorities confiscated 385 dunums of land for Highway 60 expansion, destroying vineyards that form a primary source of the agricultural economy. Settlement outposts have encroached on Dura's agricultural lands, particularly in the Khelet Taha area where settlers planted grape seedlings on 400 dunums of confiscated Palestinian land.

Historical Significance

Dura has been identified with Adora (Dorothea) from the Hellenistic period, mentioned in historical sources. The town has served as an important agricultural and commercial center for the southern Hebron region.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

• PCBS 2017 Census
• ARIJ
• Palestine Remembered