Israeli Colonists Raid Sebastia Archaeological Site During UNESCO Heritage Listing Bid

Gaza: Israeli colonists stormed the archaeological site in the town of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, on Monday, under heavy protection from Israeli forces. WAFA correspondent reported that several colonist vehicles raided the site, while Muslim, Christian, and Samaritan religious leaders were holding a solidarity gathering in support of Palestine's urgent request to have Sebastia inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the request was submitted during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently taking place in Busan, South Korea, and continuing until July 29. The committee is scheduled to consider four draft resolutions concerning Palestinian sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List: the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls, the Old City of Hebron/Ibrahimi Mosque, Battir, and the Monastery of St. Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer in the Gaza Strip. The town of Sebastia has been subjected to frequent incursions by colonists and oc cupation forces, especially in the archaeological area, as part of attempts to impose control over the historical site and obliterate its Palestinian identity.