Yaţţā

Perched atop a hill with a history dating back to ancient times, Yatta is identified with the biblical town of Juttah. In the 4th century it was described as a large Jewish village, a description supported by archaeological discoveries, including a second-century Jewish tomb, reliefs featuring menorahs, and evidence suggesting the presence of a synagogue. The Makhamra clan, which constitutes around half of the town’s population, is known for its traditions of Jewish ancestry. Yatta's cultural heritage also includes traditional costumes and various religious shrines.

During the early Ottoman period, Yatta was a small village. By the advent of the late 19th century, it transformed into a larger village marked by agricultural and pastoral economy, including sheep herding. The succession of governance over Yatta during the 20th century—spanning British, Jordanian, and Israeli control—saw a demographic expansion. Since 1995, the town has been governed by the PNA as part of Area A of the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, it had a population of 63,511 in 2017.