JERICHO, December 31, 2024 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stated that several archaeological sites in Jericho and the Jordan Valley have been subjected to repeated and intensified attacks in recent days by Israeli occupation authorities and colonists.

It explained that the occupation authorities fenced off the Khirbet el-Beiyudat site in Al-Auja with an iron fence and sealed it with a gate. They also allowed colonists to storm the Tulul Abu al-'Alayiq archaeological site and conduct illegal excavations there.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry said that these repeated attacks on Palestinian archaeological sites are part of a systematic campaign adopted by the occupation government to seize Palestinian national heritage and implement its annexation plan.

It confirmed that the goal of these illegal actions is to erase the Palestinian memory closely tied to these sites and to plunder the cultural resources of the Palestinian people. These acts, it noted, violate international laws and agreements, such as the 1954 Hague Convention and its protocols, as well as the 1970 UNESCO Convention.

The ministry also affirmed that the plan adopted by the Palestinian government to confront the annexation of archaeological sites serves as protection for Palestinian heritage.

The ministry stressed that it has launched the "Our Roots" campaign to safeguard tangible cultural heritage sites.

T.R.