The village of Al-Khayriyya was depopulated in the weeks leading up to the 1948 Palestine war, during the Haganah's offensive "Mivtza Hametz" (Operation Hametz) 28–30 April 1948. This operation was held against a group of villages east of Jaffa, including Al-Khayriyya. According to the preparatory orders, the objective was to "opening the way Jewish forces to Lydda". Though there was no explicit mention of the prospective treatment of the villagers, the order spoke of "cleansing the area" ["tihur hashetah"]. The final operational order stated: "Civilian inhabitants of places conquered would be permitted to leave after they are searched for weapons."