UNESCO considering 'enhanced protection' of Lebanese sites
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UNESCO manages six designated World Heritage sites in Lebanon, including the Roman remains of Baalbek and Tyre targeted by "Israel".
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This picture shows the destruction near the Roman temples of Baalbek after Israeli forces attacked Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley on November 7, 2024. (AFP)
The United Nations cultural body, UNESCO, has made plans to examine "enhanced protection" for Lebanon's cultural landmarks from Israeli strikes.
The UN agency revealed Thursday it will organize a conference later this month to discuss strengthened protection of cultural monuments in Lebanon, as Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continue their savage indiscriminate bombardment of Lebanese areas.
The IOF continues the policy of systematic destruction as its warplanes have leveled hundreds of residential buildings since the start of the aggression on #Lebanon.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 30, 2024
Today, Baalbek was the victim of these attacks. After large-sclae evacuation orders were published, Israeli jets… pic.twitter.com/fVzMC22Hrp
On November 18, the UNESCO committee will conduct an emergency session at its Paris headquarters to consider adding the country's heritage buildings to its list of structures under "enhanced protection", according to a statement.
Officials from the international body in charge of preserving the world's heritage sites will request additional funding to create the means to protect endangered historical structures threatened by Israeli attacks across Lebanon.
#AlMayadeen’s correspondent Mouhamad Sahili reported from Ras al-Ayn, Baalbek, where Israeli airstrikes have wreaked havoc on the city’s cultural and economic sites.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 3, 2024
Known for its cafes, restaurants, and heritage landmarks, Ras al-Ayn is a popular spot for tourists near the… pic.twitter.com/hlP89plqOu
UNESCO manages six designated World Heritage sites in Lebanon, including the Roman remains of Baalbek and Tyre.
On Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for a ceasefire "to protect our country's cultural heritage, including the ancient archeological sites of Baalbek and Tyre."
Mikati urged the UN Security Council to "take swift and decisive action to protect these historical treasures."
An Israeli airstrike destroyed a historic building in the #Manshiyeh neighborhood, which dates back to the Ottoman era and lies within arms reach of the #UNESCO-listed temples of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 7, 2024
The Governor of #Baalbeck and Hermel, Bachir Khodr, told Reuters that… pic.twitter.com/NTL8NFkHvd
UN expert warns Lebanon cultural heritage in peril amid IOF aggression
Recent evacuation orders for Baalbek and Tyre have led to the mass displacement of tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens, said Jeanine Hennis, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon at the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), in a post on X last week.
Hennis emphasized that these ancient Phoenician cities, rich in history, are at risk of being left in ruins, warning that Lebanon's cultural heritage must not become another victim of Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
Recent evacuation orders for the cities of Baalbek and Tyre forced tens of thousands of Lebanese to flee en masse. Worsening an already catastrophic mass displacement situation. Ancient Phoenician cities steeped in history are in deep peril of being left in ruins. Lebanon’s…
— Jeanine Hennis (@JeanineHennis) November 1, 2024
Last week, Lebanese Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada urged the international community and UNESCO to prevent Israeli attacks on the historic Roman temple complex in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
"Israel" issued an evacuation order that spanned the entire city of Baalbek, forcing people to evacuate their houses quickly, as the IOF usually proceed to strike areas under its evacuation order in less than an hour and in many times exceeding the area specified in the said order.
The Culture Minister encouraged Lebanon's permanent representative to UNESCO in Paris to register concerns with the agency immediately and engage in required discussions to avert strikes on the Baalbek temple complex.
The IOF also heavily bombarded the ancient city of Tyre, leveling entire blocks to the ground. The city is a few thousand years older than the Israeli occupation and holds a great deal of culture, knowledge, and historical significance for the entire region.
The IOF heavily bombarded the ancient city of #Tyre on Monday, leveling entire blocks to the ground.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 28, 2024
The city is a few thousand years older than the Israeli occupation and holds a great deal of culture, knowledge, and historical significance for the entire region. pic.twitter.com/QR39nv7wCb
According to a statement by the Lebanese Health Ministry, 3,117 people have been martyred while 13,888 others were injured due to Israeli strikes and attacks on the country.
