NABLUS, September 21, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces stormed the archaeological site in the village of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, on Sunday morning in preparation for the official opening of the so-called Samaria Park, a colonial project set to launch later in the day.
During the raid, Israeli forces assaulted journalist Khaled Bdeir and his colleague, photojournalist Shadi Jarar'ah, while they were covering the military presence in the area. The two were searched, temporarily detained, and had some of their press equipment confiscated. They were also prevented from filming and threatened with detention if they remained in the area or attempted to continue reporting.
Mohammad Azem, head of the Sebastia Municipal Council, confirmed that Israeli forces have maintained a presence in the village since the morning hours, clearing the area in preparation for the evening inauguration of the colonial project.
Last month, Israeli authorities posted notices on utility poles throughout Sebastia declaring the transformation of 1,775 dunums of the town’s land—approximately one-third of its total area—into what they are calling an “Israeli archaeological site,” as part of the broader Samaria Park project.
Sebastia has been facing growing threats of land confiscation and settlement expansion under various pretexts. Local officials and residents view these moves as part of a larger, systematic effort to erase Palestinian historical presence and to impose Israeli control over heritage sites in the occupied West Bank.
In July 2024, Likud Knesset member Amit Halevi proposed a bill to annex all archaeological sites in the West Bank to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The bill, which has since been referred to the Knesset’s Education and Culture Committee, is based on false historical claims.
Sebastia is widely recognized for its rich archaeological heritage, including the ancient Roman colonnaded street, the tomb and mosque of Prophet Yahya, a Roman-era episcopal palace, an amphitheater, court structures, a royal Roman-era cemetery, and Palestine’s only remaining Hellenistic tower. The village is now facing what local leaders describe as one of the most dangerous waves of Judaization efforts targeting its historical and cultural landmarks.
M.N
