Full Breakdown
UNESCO Lists West Bank Site and Lebanese Castles as World Heritage – Amid Israeli Objections
7/26/2026, 7:51:55 PM
Core Decision
On July 24, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee met in Busan, South Korea, and, using an emergency procedure, inscribed the archaeological town of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and five medieval fortresses in Lebanon’s Mount Amel region on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Background & Context
Sebastia, about 10 km northwest of Nablus, is identified by scholars as ancient Samaria, the capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel. Its ruins span the Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods, and both Christian and Muslim traditions associate the site with the tomb of John the Baptist. The Palestinian delegation first submitted the nomination in 2012, arguing that the site required international protection because it remains “largely undeveloped under Israeli control” and depends on tourism for the local economy.
The Lebanese nominations comprise five castles that illustrate roughly 900 years of architectural evolution, blending Crusader, Ayyubid, Mamluk and local styles. The most prominent, Beaufort Castle (Al-Shaqif), was seized by Israeli forces in May during a cross-border operation against Hezbollah.
Data & Statistics
- Five Lebanese castles were listed.
- UNESCO notes “nearly 900 years” of layered military architecture across the sites.
- Israel announced plans to expropriate roughly 200 ha (about 500 acres) of land surrounding Sebastia for a “Samaria” national park, including an Israelis-only road, a fence and entry fees.
Official Statements & Responses
UNESCO’s spokesperson said the emergency listing is a technical response to “serious threats” posed by conflict, not a political judgment. Israel’s deputy director-general for the United Nations, Nina Ben-Ami, argued that the Palestinian nomination “ignores the ancient Jewish presence” and constitutes a “travesty.”
Palestinian officials welcomed the designation.
Lebanon’s Culture Minister Ghassan Salame called the endangered listing a “remarkable achievement” for protecting the castles, rejecting Israeli claims that Hezbollah has turned Beaufort into a military base.
Criticism & Opposition
Israel’s Foreign Ministry labeled the nominations a “weaponization of cultural heritage,” accusing the Palestinian delegation of staging a “hostile, one-sided campaign.” Israeli officials also alleged that Hezbollah has built tunnels beneath Beaufort Castle and launched rockets from the site, a claim rejected by Lebanese delegates who say the structures have been used solely for tourism since Israel’s withdrawal in 2000.
Palestinian representatives countered that settlement expansion, land expropriation and restricted access threaten Sebastia’s integrity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on recent damage to Sebastia. Ynet reports vandalism by Palestinians in 2022, while other outlets focus on Israeli settlement-related threats and land-expropriation plans. Regarding Beaufort Castle, Israeli statements allege Hezbollah tunnels, whereas Lebanese officials present photographs of tourist facilities as evidence, highlighting a lack of independent verification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The integrity of the site is currently threatened by an expropriation project aimed at subdividing the property and creating the 'Samaria' (Shomron) National Park,” — UNESCO spokesperson
- “We hope that this decision will enable us ?to preserve Sebastia,” — Nizar Kayed, village deputy mayor
- “Any discussion of Sebastia must recognize, explicitly, the ancient Jewish presence and connection to this land. Yet the Palestinian submission deliberately ignores this historic fact,” — Nina Ben-Ami, Israel’s deputy director-general for the UN
These quotations capture the core positions of UNESCO, Palestinian local leadership, and Israeli officials, illustrating the contested narratives surrounding the heritage designations.
