NABLUS, March 27, 2018 (WAFA) – Israel is working to take over Sebastia archeological site to the northwe4st of Nablus in the northern West Bank and has sent a contractor to do restoration work on the site, according to Mohammad Azem, head of Sebastia village council.

He told WAFA that residents were surprised to the Israeli contractor working at the site, which is considered a Palestinian site.

He said the Israeli authorities are trying to take control of the archaeological area through increasing visits to the site by Israeli settlers while moving any sign that show it as a Palestinian area, including removing the Palestinian flag that has been flown there for decades.

Azem said the contractor erected a fence around a number of archaeological areas in the town, and there were fears that settlers are preparing to hold religious rituals at the site for the Jewish Passover holiday, which means it will be closed to Palestinians.

Sebastia is an archeological city to the west of Nablus in the northern West Bank of about 3,000 Palestinian residents.

Besides being archeological city, it has religious significance for Muslims and Christians alike because it is believed that John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus in Jordan River, is buried there.

Israel had prevented the Palestinian Authority from carrying out restoration work on the site under the pretext it is located within Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israeli military control according to Palestinian-Israeli Oslo Accord.

C.K./M.K.