By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Lebanon has accused Israel of causing widespread damage to some of the country’s most treasured historical and cultural landmarks during nearly four months of military operations in southern Lebanon, raising fears that centuries of history may have been permanently lost.
According to Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame, numerous archaeological sites, historic villages, religious landmarks and centuries-old buildings suffered extensive destruction as Israeli air and ground operations targeted Hezbollah positions across southern Lebanon. While a ceasefire has now taken effect, Lebanese authorities say they are still unable to fully assess the scale of the damage because Israeli forces continue to control parts of southern Lebanese territory, preventing officials from conducting comprehensive inspections.
Among the most notable sites affected is the ancient coastal city of Tyre, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al-Bass Roman archaeological complex. Recent strikes reportedly damaged sections of the site, with debris scattered among ancient ruins and parts of historic stone columns destroyed. Officials from Lebanon’s Directorate General of Antiquities described the destruction as severe, saying some protective structures installed to shield the ruins from conflict were themselves blown apart during the bombardment.
Tyre has stood for nearly 5,000 years and remains one of the Middle East’s most historically significant cities. Once a powerful Phoenician trading center before later flourishing under Roman rule, the city has survived invasions, empires and previous wars. Lebanese authorities fear the latest conflict has inflicted some of the worst damage in generations.
Elsewhere in southern Lebanon, the minister said a religious pilgrimage site revered by both Muslims and Christians was completely destroyed, while heavy strikes damaged the historic Mamluk-era marketplace in Nabatieh. Ancient towns, traditional stone houses, archaeological sites and historic public buildings were also reportedly hit during the fighting.
Salame said the destruction extends beyond famous monuments, stressing that Lebanon’s cultural heritage includes entire historic communities, traditional architecture and places of worship that reflect the country’s diverse religious and cultural history.
Several villages near the Israeli border were reportedly flattened during the conflict, while concern also remains over possible damage to Tebnin’s Crusader fortress and the medieval Beaufort Castle, another iconic historical landmark located within territory still under Israeli military control. Lebanese officials say they cannot determine the full extent of the destruction until access to these areas is restored.
Israel has defended its military operations, saying its campaign targeted Hezbollah military infrastructure rather than civilian or cultural sites. In response to Reuters, the Israeli military said its forces strike only when militarily necessary and follow a strict approval process designed to minimize unnecessary damage, including consideration for locations considered culturally sensitive. Israel has also accused Hezbollah of storing weapons near or inside some heritage locations, including Beaufort Castle, allegations Lebanese authorities deny.
The conflict has drawn growing concern from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which has expressed alarm over reports of damage to several protected cultural sites across southern Lebanon. UNESCO has specifically voiced concern about the condition of Tyre, which already holds World Heritage status and is under enhanced international protection. The agency also condemned attacks affecting cultural property and warned that continued fighting could place invaluable historical treasures at even greater risk.
Lebanon has requested that UNESCO classify Tyre as a World Heritage Site in Danger, a designation that could mobilize greater international attention, technical support and preservation efforts. Officials argue that such recognition is urgently needed to protect what remains of one of humanity’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
For many residents, the destruction represents more than damaged buildings. It is the loss of cultural identity, shared history and generations of architectural heritage that cannot easily be replaced. Experts warn that some of the damaged monuments date back thousands of years and preserve the legacy of civilizations including the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and Mamluks, all of whom left lasting marks on Lebanon’s landscape.
Lebanese officials say they remain committed to documenting every damaged site once access becomes possible. However, they caution that many of the losses may prove irreversible, leaving future generations with fewer physical connections to one of the world’s richest historical landscapes.
As reconstruction efforts begin following the ceasefire, preserving Lebanon’s cultural heritage is expected to become a major challenge alongside rebuilding homes, infrastructure and communities devastated by months of conflict.
Source Reuters
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