Israel's nearly four-month air and ground campaign against Hezbollah has damaged or destroyed revered heritage sites across southern Lebanon, Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame told Reuters. Despite a ceasefire that took hold a week ago, authorities have yet to build a full picture of the damage as Israeli troops still occupy a zone about 10 km (6.2 miles) deep into Lebanon that is off-limits to Lebanese, Salame said.
Damage to UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tyre
A crown was blown off an ancient column in the Al-Bass Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the port city of Tyre. Barriers set up to shield the ruins from Israeli strikes or flying debris were blown into the middle of the site. Adnan Istanbouli, an official from Lebanon's antiquities department, said, 'Look at the damage that happened to it, it’s as if it all exploded from underneath, as if an earthquake hit it.'
Alwan Charafeddine, deputy mayor of Tyre, said the city 'is supposed to be one of the cities that is internationally protected, or that should never be targeted in any way, in any conflict.'
Destruction of Historic Towns and Religious Sites
Salame said that villages have been completely bulldozed, including centuries-old towns that were home to Christians, Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims and their places of worship. A pilgrimage site for Muslims and Christians was destroyed in another southern town. Israeli strikes also pummelled the Mamluk-era market in the city of Nabatieh, and troops razed centuries-old Lebanese border towns.
The occupation zone includes the medieval Beaufort Castle, which Israel has accused Hezbollah of using to store weapons—a claim Lebanese authorities deny. Heavy bombing hit the town of Tebnin, prompting fears that its Crusader fortress was also damaged.
UNESCO Response and Calls for Protection
In a statement last month, UNESCO said it was concerned about the state of conservation of Tyre, a World Heritage Site under enhanced protection status. It also said it was 'deeply alarmed' by reports of damage to a citadel in Chama and fighting near Beaufort Castle, while condemning 'unlawful attacks against cultural property.'
When Israeli bombing spread to the ruins of Tyre, Salame asked UNESCO to reclassify it as a World Heritage Site in Danger, which would trigger more protection responsibilities. It has not yet been listed as one.
Minister Accuses Israel of Systematic Destruction
Salame said he fears Israel's campaign would permanently erase centuries of Lebanese history. 'There is something systematic: a systematic destruction of villages, hamlets, and entire towns,' he said. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier that Israel would destroy all houses along Lebanon's border with Israel.
In response to questions from Reuters, Israel's military said it does not aim to 'cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure and strikes only out of military necessity, with consideration for the safety of its citizens.' It said it took into account the existence of 'sensitive sites' and applied 'a rigorous approval process as required.'
