The Israeli occupation will vote today to approve a plan to invest 29 million shekels in building a new outpost adjacent to the Palestinian town of Sebastia in Nablus. The project is intended to target the area's ancient site, improve settlers' access to it, and lessen the Palestinian presence.

According to the Israeli “Peace Now” organization, the occupation plans to declare the location an “archaeological site”. This site will pave a road to allow Israelis to reach it, as well as transform it into a tourism destination open to the public.

The organization assured that turning Sebastia into a settlement run by the Civil Administration would result in more settlers moving into the area. Moreover, it would also shorten the distance to the Homesh settlement and the evacuated settlements in the northern West Bank. On top of this, it would be a location that draws tourists from Israel.