Hebron, MINA – Israel began illegal settlement construction works atop the historic Hebron municipality building in the southern West Bank, municipal authorities said Thursday, according to Anadolu Agency.
In a statement, the Hebron Municipality said Israeli authorities began to build on the roof of its old headquarters in the Ein Al-Askar area in the Old City. The works aim to “impose a new status quo in violation of local and international laws,” describing the construction as part of “the ongoing settlement expansion policy targeting the city of Hebron, its holy sites and historic buildings.”
The municipality said the old municipal building has been closed for years under an Israeli military order and is considered one of the major historical and national landmarks in the Old City, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“Any alteration or assault on the building constitutes a clear violation of all international conventions and norms related to the protection of cultural and human heritage,” it warned.
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The municipality called on local and international institutions, as well as rights and humanitarian organizations, to intervene immediately to stop the assault and prevent attempts to impose a new reality targeting the historical and cultural identity of the Old City.
Under the Hebron Protocol signed on January 17, 1997, Hebron was divided into H1 and H2 zones, with Israel retaining full control over the Old City and its surroundings. In 2017, Palestine succeeded in registering Hebron’s Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque on the UNESCO World Heritage List.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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