Qalqilya is a Palestinian city located in the northern West Bank, near the Israeli border. It is the largest city in the West Bank, with a population of over 40,000 people. Qalqilya has a long and rich history, stretching back centuries. It has been a center of culture and commerce, and has been an important part of the Palestinian identity for generations.
The earliest known settlement in Qalqilya dates back to the Chalcolithic period, around 6500 BCE. During this period, the city was known as Kalkul, and was part of the Canaanite civilization. The city was ruled by the Canaanites until the 12th century BCE, when it was conquered by the Israelites.
During the Iron Age, Qalqilya was part of the Kingdom of Israel, and was ruled by the Israelites until the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE. After the Assyrian conquest, Qalqilya was ruled by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians. In 332 BCE, the city was conquered by Alexander the Great, and it became part of the Seleucid Empire.
In the 1st century BCE, Qalqilya came under Roman rule, and it remained part of the Roman Empire until the 7th century CE. During this period, the city was known as El-Qalqilya, and it was an important trading center.
In the 7th century, Qalqilya was conquered by the Muslim Umayyad dynasty, and it was later ruled by the Abbasids and the Fatimids. During this period, the city was known as Qalqas.
In 1099, Qalqilya was conquered by the Crusaders, and it remained under Crusader control until 1187, when it was recaptured by Saladin. In 1260, the city was conquered by the Mamluks, and it remained under Mamluk rule until 1517, when it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
During the Ottoman period, Qalqilya was a small village, but it began to grow in the 19th century. In 1917, the city was occupied by the British, and it remained under British control until 1948, when it was captured by Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Today, Qalqilya is a bustling city, and it is an important part of the Palestinian identity. The city is home to a number of historic sites, including the ruins of an ancient mosque, an Ottoman-era fort, and a Crusader-era castle. Qalqilya is also home to a vibrant art scene, and it is an important center of Palestinian culture and history.