UNESCO granted World Heritage status to Sebastia and five southern Lebanon fortresses, citing threats tied to the 'Israeli occupation'; Palestinians hailed a national achievement, while Israel accused it of erasing Jewish and Christian history

The 450-acre site, which has awaited joining the world heritage list since 2012, has a history dating back at least 3,000 years.

A United Nations committee has inscribed a major archaeological site in the West Bank and a set of castles in southern Lebanon as World Heritage sites