Israel Orders Annexation of West Bank Land, Including Archeological Sites
Moayad Shaaban, head of the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, said the expropriation affects land owned by residents of Sebastia and Burqa in Nablus governorate. He described the order as a continuation of a notice issued on January 18, 2025, and said it reflects a broader strategy of using legal and administrative measures to advance settlement expansion. The land is set to be allocated exclusively for Israeli settlers.
Shaaban warned that the seizure goes beyond the archaeological site itself, extending to surrounding agricultural areas, including Palestinian-owned olive groves, effectively increasing Israeli control in the region.
Sebastia, situated along the main road connecting Nablus and Jenin, spans roughly 4,777 dunams (1,180 acres). The site dates back to the Bronze Age and contains layers of Canaanite, Roman, Byzantine, Phoenician, and Islamic remains, according to the Palestinian Tourism Ministry.
In November 2025, reports indicated that the Israeli Civil Administration was preparing to expropriate privately owned land in the area, including extensive olive orchards, to develop the archaeological site. Earlier this month, Israel also expanded enforcement powers in parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority administration, citing construction, water, and heritage-related violations.
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