Israel to seize 180 hectares near Bronze Age heritage site in West Bank

Israel plans to seize 180 hectares (1800 dunams) of privately owned land in the occupied West Bank, claiming it wants to “develop an archaeological site.”

Haaretz reported on Thursday that the targeted area sits near the town of Sebastia, north of Nablus. It contains tens of thousands of olive trees.

The order covers land in Sebastia and the neighbouring village of Burqa. 

Local officials say it is the largest confiscation for archaeological purposes since 1967. The site in Sebastia dates back to the Bronze Age, around 3200 BCE.

Israel argues the area is linked to the biblical city of Samaria, tied to the ancient Kingdom of Israel. 

Palestinians say the move is part of a wider policy to “Judaise” Palestinian heritage and justify land grabs.

Sebastia’s mayor, Muhammad Azem, told Middle East Eye that Israel aims to connect the archaeological site to the nearby Shavei Shomron settlement, built on land belonging to several Palestinian towns.

Read more: Israel to seize 180 hectares near Bronze Age heritage site in West Bank