Story perspectives

UNESCO Lists Sebastia, Lebanese Castles as Israel Plans Land Seizure

7/26/2026

Summary

UNESCO Adds Sites

On July 24 2026, UNESCO in Busan added Sebastia and five Mount Amel castles to the Heritage and Endangered Sites lists under an emergency procedure.
Sebastia and Amel castles—Beaufort, Tibnin, Dubiyye, Deir Kifa and Chamaa—face threats, with Sebastia confronting a “Samaria” Park project and castles suffering bombardment damage.
Palestinian Tourism Minister Hani al-Hayek and Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame praised the decision, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a weaponisation of cultural heritage.

Summary

Israel Seizes Land

Israel announced plans to seize about 1,800 dunams (445 acres) of land around the archaeological site of Sebastia.
The Civil Administration earmarked more than NIS 30 million for development and preservation work intended to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Palestinian officials warn that the land-seizure plan and a draft bill extending Israeli civil control over West Bank heritage sites could further restrict tourism-based livelihoods.

History

Historical Context

Since UNESCO created the World Heritage Convention in 1972, Israel joined in October 1999 and Palestine in December 2011, making their sites eligible for listing. The Old City of Jerusalem, added in 1981, and the emergency 2026 inscription of Sebastia illustrate how heritage designations are repeatedly invoked in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, shaping diplomatic battles over control and tourism revenue.

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UNESCO Adds Sites

On July 24 2026, UNESCO in Busan added Sebastia and five Mount Amel castles to the Heritage and Endangered Sites lists under an emergency procedure.
Sebastia and Amel castles—Beaufort, Tibnin, Dubiyye, Deir Kifa and Chamaa—face threats, with Sebastia confronting a “Samaria” Park project and castles suffering bombardment damage.
Palestinian Tourism Minister Hani al-Hayek and Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame praised the decision, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a weaponisation of cultural heritage.

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