NABLUS, Thursday, April 25, 2024 (WAFA) – Hundreds of Israeli colonists Thursday stormed the archaeological site in the town of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, under the protection of the Israeli occupation army.

The mayor of Sebastia, Mohammad Azem, told WAFA that large forces from the occupation army stormed the town at 6:00 A.M, closed the archaeological area and prevented entry and exit, forcing families not to send their children to school.

He pointed out that the occupation forces closed all roads leading to the archaeological area, the old town, and the entrances to the western town, and turned several houses into military zones as snipers mounted the roofs of some houses, and forced the owners of shops surrounding the archaeological area to close them.

Azem explained that hundreds of colonists began storming the archaeological site and held celebrations, noting that according to what the colonial groups announced, the storming will continue until 5:00 P.M and will continue tomorrow and next Sunday, aiming to celebrate the Jewish holidays.

He noted that the road linking the cities of Jenin and Nablus sees an intense presence of the occupation army on the side roads, and that the occupation forces are checking citizens’ ID cards at Shavi Shomron military checkpoint.

Azem warned of the occupation’s plans to impose a fait accompli on the ground by establishing a point for colonists in that region, exploiting the Jewish holidays with the aim of Judaizing the region by allocating tens of millions of shekels.

K.T