Areej Institute: The Israeli occupation classifies more than 2400 Palestinian archaeological sites as

The Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ) confirmed that the Israeli occupation has classified more than 2,400 Palestinian archaeological sites in the West Bank as 'Israeli archaeological sites.' This classification comes as part of the occupation's policy aimed at controlling Palestinian lands under the pretext of protecting heritage.

The institute clarified that the occupation claims these sites 'must be protected and maintained,' but in reality, they are used to control vast areas of Palestinian land, with many of these sites being transformed into Israeli settlements, colonial outposts, and military and tourist sites that benefit only Israeli settlers.

In Nablus Governorate, 63 archaeological sites have been classified as 'Israeli historical and archaeological sites,' with 59 of them located in Nablus alone. This indicates that the occupation specifically targets archaeological sites in this governorate as part of its colonial plans.

The distribution of targeted sites includes many areas, such as Khan al-Lubban, the site of al-Awf, and Shiloh, where these sites are located near Israeli settlements, reflecting the occupation's intention to control Palestinian heritage.

The institute confirmed that classifying these sites as 'Israeli' represents a clear violation of international law, including the Hague Convention of 1954, which protects cultural property during armed conflicts.

The occupation's practices towards Palestinian heritage are a blatant violation of international obligations, posing a direct threat to Palestinian national identity. Instead of protecting cultural property, the occupation classifies it as Israeli property.

The occupation authorities use military decrees to justify their control over these sites and legalize their confiscation, further complicating the cultural and heritage situation in the Palestinian territories.