The Director General of Tourism and Antiquities in the Al-Khalil Governorate, Jibril Al-Rajoub, revealed that the authorities of the Zionist enemy entity have seized more than 140 archaeological sites and historical ruins (khirbas) in the governorate. He noted that these sites have been reclassified within maps issued by the so-called "Civil Administration" as Zionist archaeological sites.

Al-Rajoub explained in press statements that the "Civil Administration" published new maps in mid-June, which display these sites highlighted in yellow. He pointed out that all of these locations are situated within Areas classified as (C), which are under full Zionist control.

He indicated that approximately 62% of the total archaeological sites in the Al-Khalil Governorate are located within these areas, making them vulnerable to systematic Judaization and theft under historical pretexts.

Al-Rajoub emphasized that these sites, including "Khirbat Humsa" as well as caves and ancient houses in the town of Dura, are Palestinian landmarks officially documented and registered in the Official Gazette and within archaeological surveys, with their history dating back thousands of years to ancient eras.

He stressed that all the lands on which these targeted ruins and sites are located are private property belonging to Palestinian citizens, whose owners possess legal documents and official title deeds (Kushan) proving their rights.

He noted that the inclusion of "Khirbat Humsa" within these classifications aims to boost settlement expansion in the surrounding area. He pointed out that there are official Palestinian efforts to protect these sites and to act through legal channels to present supporting documentation and invalidate these measures.

In a related context, the General Assembly of the Zionist "Knesset" had approved, in mid-May, a draft law to establish a special Zionist "antiquities authority" for the occupied West Bank, granting it broad powers that include overseeing heritage and antiquities affairs, in addition to the possibility of confiscating lands in the region.

The General Assembly of the Zionist "Knesset" approved last May, in its first reading, a draft law to establish a so-called Zionist "antiquities authority" specifically for the occupied West Bank.

The bill was presented by "Knesset" member Amit Halevi of the Zionist "Likud" party, and it stipulates the establishment of the "Judaea and Samaria Antiquities Authority," which would directly report to the so-called Zionist "Minister of Heritage."

The proposed law grants this authority extensive powers, including exclusive oversight over antiquities affairs in the West Bank, alongside the possibility of confiscating lands connected to archaeological sites.

The draft bill also mandates transferring the powers of the "Antiquities Officer" belonging to the so-called "Civil Administration" to the new authority, so that its duties will encompass excavation operations and their management in Areas (B) and (C) of the West Bank.

Furthermore, it includes a clause that grants priority to the decisions of this authority over any other body, including the nature reserves administration, while subjecting it to the Zionist military law applicable in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.