Personnel from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, assisted by security forces, completed a special operation to reclaim state-owned land of significant historical and archaeological importance in the City of David in eastern Jerusalem on Monday.
According to authorities, Palestinian squatters illegally living on the land damaging heritage sites, including burial tunnels dating back to the Second Temple period.
Evidence of antiquities looting was identified in burial caves, which had been used as warehouses and unregulated animal pens.
AFSI Insight
Israel’s reclamation of state land in the City of David is an important step in protecting Jerusalem’s archaeological, historical, and national heritage. The City of David contains some of the strongest physical evidence of the Jewish people’s ancient connection to Jerusalem and safeguarding these sites is essential to preserving historical truth. The City of David is widely regarded as the core of ancient Jerusalem and has yielded some of Israel’s most significant archaeological discoveries.
Source:
Israel Reclaims State Land In City Of David Heritage Site, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL, June 15, 2026