Israel has resumed major archaeological excavations in the West Bank, including at Alexandrion, also known as Sartaba, a mountain fortress in the Jordan Valley linked to ancient Jewish rulers. Backed by significant government funding, the renewed digs are part of a broader initiative to protect and develop thousands of historical sites across the territory, many of which officials say have suffered from looting and neglect.

The effort comes amid heightened political tensions, as the West Bank is claimed by Palestinians for a future state and widely regarded by much of the international community as occupied territory. Israeli ministers describe the archaeological campaign as a way to safeguard heritage and affirm the Jewish people's historical connection to the land, while critics argue it is intertwined with settlement expansion and efforts to solidify long term control.

Projects at sites such as Alexandrion and Archelais have uncovered layers of Hasmonean, Herodian, Byzantine, and other periods, highlighting the region's diverse past. Yet the excavations sit alongside Palestinian communities and growing Jewish settlements, underscoring how deeply archaeology, identity, and modern geopolitics are intertwined in the contested landscape.