Ramallah, July 5 (Petra) - Israeli occupation authorities have recently reclassified over 140 archaeological sites and historical ruins in the southern West Bank's Hebron Governorate as Israeli archaeological treasures, a Palestinian official said Sunday.

In press remarks, Jabr Rajoub, Director-General of Tourism and Antiquities in Hebron, said maps published by the Israeli Civil Administration in mid-June label the landmarks as Israeli heritage locations. All of the sites are located in Area C, which remains under full Israeli civil and security control under the Oslo Accords.

Rajoub said roughly 62% of Hebron's archaeological sites are located in Area C, "making them vulnerable to what he described as systematic appropriation under historical and archaeological claims." Among the affected sites are Khirbet Humsa, as well as ancient caves and traditional stone houses in the town of Dura. Rajoub said the sites are documented Palestinian cultural landmarks that have been officially registered in archaeological surveys and historical records, with histories dating back thousands of years.

He added that the sites are on privately-owned Palestinian land, backed by legal deeds and official registration documents.

Rajoub stated the inclusion of Khirbet Hamsa in the new classifications is intended to facilitate settlement expansion in the surrounding area. He said Palestinian authorities are pursuing legal measures to challenge the designations by submitting ownership and historical documentation.

In mid-May, the Knesset approved legislation establishing a dedicated Israeli Antiquities Authority for the West Bank.

The law grants the new body broad authority over archaeological and heritage sites, including powers that Palestinian officials say could enable the confiscation of additional land in the territory.

//Petra// HA