Israel to take over historical site of Prophet Yahya’s (AS) burial in occupied West Bank

The Israeli Defence Ministry stated on Thursday that it has occupied 445 acres of land near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. This move follows settlers establishing a military camp at historical sites, signalling plans to occupy the largest swath of land since the settlement expansion began.

While the international community has repeatedly called on Israel to curb settler violence in the occupied West Bank, raids, attacks, and illegal arrests against Palestinians continue.

The historical site spans 450 acres, according to Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog, which confirmed that Israel released a list of 12 land parcels it intends to seize in the Sebastia area.

The occupation will enable the construction of an archaeological site on private lands. Palestinians have been given 14 days to submit their objections to the seizure.

Israel plans to build a historical tourism site in Sebastia, where Jewish tradition holds the Kingdom of Samaria was located and where Christian and Muslim belief places the burial of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya, AS). The occupation authorities have allocated $9.24 million to develop the site.

Previously, Israel seized 70 acres of a village in the occupied West Bank, marking the largest land seizure to date.

During its military operations in Gaza, Israel forcibly expelled 32,000 Palestinians from several refugee camps in the West Bank. Human Rights Watch has declared that such expulsions could be counted as war crimes.

Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian territories and physically assaulted civilians 24,000 times over the past two years.