As war rages in Gaza, archaeological looting in the West Bank has spiked.

The article focuses on the significant increase in looting of archaeological sites in the West Bank, particularly at Khirbet Keila, as a consequence of the economic collapse resulting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023. A study conducted by two Palestinian researchers documented 157 new looting pits and extensive damage to the site, which was once home to a prominent Canaanite city-state. The looting, driven by desperation and the high value of biblical artifacts in the local antiques trade, threatens the historical integrity of these sites and diminishes the archaeological context of the stolen items. The findings highlight a broader trend of looting in conflict zones, exacerbated by weak governance and economic instability. [Extracted from the article]