An-Najah News - According to Sebastia mayor Mohammad Azem, Sebastia archeological site was declared by the Israeli occupation forces off-limit to Palestinians while made accessible to Israeli settlers only.

A large unit of Israeli occupation forces stormed the village and prevented access for Palestinian residents to the archeological site.

Dozens of Israeli settlers were allowed access to the Palestinian archeological site, a situation that recurs often under Israeli army protection.

Israel has been trying to force the municipality to remove a large Palestinian flag hoisted in the village, under the pretext that the flag provokes the settlers.