Israel moves to claim West Bank land near Sebastia archaeological zone

Israel aims to designate around 1,800 dunams of territory in the northern West Bank for what it calls archaeological development in and around the ancient Sebastia site, local media reported Thursday. The land includes extensive olive groves owned by Palestinian families who depend on harvesting and tourism for income.

Impact on Sebastia and nearby communities

Haaretz noted that the order, issued by the Israeli Civil Administration last week, targets areas near Sebastia and the nearby village of Burqa. Residents have been given 14 days to challenge the decision before implementation begins. The newspaper described the move as the largest such land appropriation for archaeology in the occupied West Bank since 1967.

Historical area and legal changes

Sebastia lies on a major route between Nablus and Jenin and spans more than 4,700 dunams. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism says the archaeological site contains layers of heritage dating back to the Bronze Age, including Canaanite, Roman, Byzantine, Phoenician and Islamic remains. In July 2024, the Knesset approved legislation extending the Israeli Antiquities Authority’s mandate across the entire West Bank.

Demolition notices in East Jerusalem

Separately, the Jerusalem Governorate said Israeli authorities issued over 40 demolition and work-stop notices in the Wadi al-Hummus area southeast of East Jerusalem within two days. Officials stressed that at least 30 of the affected buildings lie beyond the separation wall in Area A — territory that, under the 1995 Oslo Accords, falls under full Palestinian administrative and security responsibility.

International legal context

The International Court of Justice ruled in a landmark advisory opinion last July that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is unlawful and called for the withdrawal of settlements from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.