Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:49am on 09 Aug 2026,Sunday International
Israel is facing accusations of using archaeology to expand its control over land and ancient sites in the occupied West Bank. At Sebastia, Israeli authorities plan to take control of about 450 acres to create and develop a national park, a move Palestinian landowners oppose. UNESCO has placed Sebastia on its World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger, citing concerns over planned land expropriation. Israel says it wants to protect and develop important archaeological sites and preserve Jewish historical links. Similar land expropriation has begun near Herodium, raising further concerns among Palestinian residents and Israeli rights groups. (PC: BBC)
