Shufa Town
Shufa village, also known as Manor of Shufa, is located 8 km southeast of Tulkarm. It is bordered by Beit Lid and Saffarin to the east, Kafr al-Labad and Anabta to the north, Tulkarem and Far’un to the west, and Kafr Sour and al-Ras to the south. The village is situated at an elevation of about 360 meters above sea level, making it one of the most scenic locations in the area.
The village covers approximately 11 thousand dunums, primarily used for agriculture. Shufa is divided into two parts: the main village and Izbat Shufa (Manor of Shufa), located 4 km away, with populations of around 2,000 and 1,500, respectively. The Israeli settlement of Avnei Hefetz lies between these two parts.
Shufa is renowned for its olive cultivation and annual crops like grains and legumes. It is also notable for its historical buildings, particularly Al-Barqawi Castle, which dates back to the late Ottoman period. The castle, belonging to the Al-Barqawi family and specifically Sheikh Issa Al-Barqawi, was restored by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 2004.
The village also features an old mosque adjacent to Al-Barqawi Castle and Khirbet Samara, an ancient ruin located northwest of Saffarin and northeast of Shufa. This site contains numerous archaeological monuments, including a basilica with mosaics and decorations, catacombs, caves, an entrance with two towers, and rock-cut tombs.