Qatra was captured by Israel's Givati Brigade in May 1948. The operation was according to Plan Dalet. Plan Dalets guidelines to the Givati Brigade gave its leader, Lt. Col. Shimon Avidan, wide discretion. In order to "stabilise" his lines, the plan stated that ´you will determine alone, in consultations with your Arab affairs advisers and Intelligence Service officers, villages in your zone should be occupied, cleansed or destroyed.´ During May to early June, Avidan moved to expand his area of control westwards and southwards as part of Operation Barak.