Sebastia

Palestinian officials welcomed UNESCO's designation of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank as a World Heritage site, hoping it will prevent Israel extending its control at the ancient village, while Israel condemned it as a political decision.

UNESCO added Sebastia, a West Bank archaeological site, and a group of castles in southern Lebanon to its World Heritage List despite Israeli objections. Israel's Foreign Ministry had urged the committee to reject the nominations, calling them a 'weaponization of cultural heritage.'

US President Donald Trump mentioned ongoing talks with Iran but emphasized Tehran cannot have nuclear weapons. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the US for regional insecurity. Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes in Nablus, while Saudi Arabia issued alerts after Houthi claims of missile attacks. The US disabled an Iranian tanker evading a blockade, and an Iranian commander threatened retaliation for civilian casualties. UNESCO added Sebastia in the West Bank to its heritage lists.

Unesco added the West Bank archaeological site of Sebastia to both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, despite objections from Israel. The decision was made during an emergency review at a meeting in Busan, South Korea, and five medieval castles in Lebanon's Mount Amel area were also added to the lists.

UNESCO has added Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and five Lebanese castles to its endangered heritage list amid Israeli objections. The emergency listing aims to protect cultural sites under threat.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee added a West Bank archaeological site in Sebastia and five castles in Lebanon's Mount Amel to the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, despite objections from Israel, which criticized the move as politicization of cultural heritage.

UNESCO added a West Bank archaeological site and five castles in Lebanon to its World Heritage List and Danger List despite Israeli objections, with Israel accusing the Palestinian delegation of politicizing cultural heritage. The decision followed an emergency review of the nominations.

UNESCO added the West Bank site Sebastia and five castles in Lebanon's Mount Amel to its World Heritage List despite Israeli objections. Israel criticized the decision, claiming the nominations were politically motivated and downplayed Jewish and Christian history, while also objecting to UNESCO's listing of Beaufort Castle in Lebanon due to Hezbollah's military use of the site.

An Israeli bill aiming to extend civil control over ancient West Bank sites has faced criticism from Palestinians and Israeli rights groups, who argue it constitutes annexation of occupied land and promotes Jewish settlements. The 'Heritage Authority in Judea and Samaria' bill passed one of three required parliamentary votes in May, but its final approval remains uncertain ahead of Israel's upcoming election.