The historical territory of Samaria is today located primarily within the northern West Bank.
Samaria was the central region of the biblical Land of Israel, playing a crucial role in ancient history. In contemporary terms, the area traditionally identified as Samaria is situated within the West Bank, a territory that has been under Israeli administration since 1967.
Geographical Identification
The specific location of historical Samaria is well-documented:
- Northern West Bank: This is the general area where the ancient region lay.
- Northwest of Nāblus: The site of the ancient city of Samaria itself is found on a hill northwest of the modern city of Nāblus, a prominent urban center in the West Bank.
- Under Israeli Administration: The West Bank, including the Samaria region, has been administered by Israel since 1967, following the Six-Day War.
Historical and Modern Context
Samaria holds deep historical, religious, and cultural significance. It was once the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel. Today, its territory is characterized by a complex political and demographic landscape, home to both Palestinian communities and Israeli settlements. The status of the West Bank, and thus the Samaria region within it, remains a central issue in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
