According to a report by Reuters on June 28th, Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé recently stated that during Israel's nearly four-month military strikes against Lebanon, many cultural heritage sites in Lebanon were damaged by the Israeli army.
Salamé said that in the southern Lebanese territory occupied by Israeli forces, there are many historic Christian, Shia Muslim, and Sunni Muslim villages, as well as Fort Bethel, a strategic stronghold with a history of 900 years. He revealed that many of these historical sites have been destroyed by Israeli forces, with “some villages being completely destroyed.”
He stated that since the Israeli army has not yet withdrawn from southern Lebanon, Lebanese citizens cannot enter the areas controlled by the Israeli forces, and it is still unclear what specific damage has been caused to these historical sites.
Outside of the areas occupied by the Israelis, historical sites such as the ancient city of Tyre and the Crusader fortress of Tebnin have also been affected by air strikes. Many people are concerned that these historical landmarks may be damaged.
Lebanon's ancient city of Tyre, southern Lebanon. IC photo
Reuters noted that modern Lebanon is located at the intersection of multiple civilizations, with a wealth of historical relics such as Phoenician, Byzantine, Mamluk, and Crusader-era temples, castles, and tombs. For example, Tyre, founded in 3000 BC, was an important trade center in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its ruins were listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
However, during Israel's air strikes against Lebanon, the ancient city of Tyre was affected. There were scattered building debris and damaged cars around the site, and the barriers that were originally used to protect the site were also blown away by the explosion.
Salamé said, “The heritage includes not only artifacts from civilizations such as Phoenicia and Rome, but also historical buildings, archaeological sites, and structures with cultural functions.” He is concerned that Israeli military actions may “eradiate” the cultural heritage within Lebanon.
Regarding the accusations from Lebanon, the Israeli military stated in a statement to Reuters: “The Israeli army does not intend to cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure. The strikes are only necessary for military purposes to protect the safety of Israeli citizens.”
UNESCO issued a statement last month expressing concern about the preservation of cultural heritage sites such as the ancient city of Tyre. The organization said it was “deeply shocked” by the fighting at sites like the Fort Boyard Castle, and condemned “illegal attacks on cultural heritage.”
