Lebanese Culture Minister cites Israeli strikes damaging UNESCO sites in south Lebanon

Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame told Reuters that Israel's nearly four‑month air and ground campaign aimed at Hezbollah has damaged several heritage sites in southern Lebanon. Strikes blew off a crown from an ancient column at the UNESCO‑listed ruins of Tyre, destroyed a mixed‑faith pilgrimage site, hit the Mamluk‑era market in Nabatieh and caused heavy bombing in Tebnin that may have harmed its Crusader fortress. Israeli troops continue to occupy a zone about 10 km inside Lebanon that includes medieval Beaufort Castle and villages whose historic buildings were reportedly bulldozed.

Salame said the destruction affects Roman, Phoenician, Mamluk and Crusader monuments and urged UNESCO to increase protection, asking it to reclassify Tyre’s site. UNESCO expressed deep alarm over the damage and condemned what it called unlawful attacks on cultural property. Israel’s military replied that it seeks to avoid excessive civilian damage and only strikes “sensitive sites” after a rigorous approval process, accusing Hezbollah of storing weapons in some monuments, a claim Lebanese authorities deny.