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Israel damaged heritage sites during ops. against Hezbollah, Lebanese culture minister says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israeli strikes have damaged or destroyed heritage sites across southern Lebanon during its operation against Hezbollah, according to the Lebanese culture minister.
  • Sites hit include Roman ruins in Tyre, a Mamluk-era market in Nabatieh, and potentially the Crusader fortress in Tebnin.
  • Israel's military stated it strikes only out of military necessity and considers sensitive sites.

Lebanon's Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salame, stated that Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah have damaged or destroyed revered heritage sites across southern Lebanon. These strikes have occurred during Israel's nearly four-month operation against the militant group.

We cannot work under the shadow of occupation.

— Ghassan SalameLebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame explaining why a full assessment of damage to heritage sites is difficult.

Recent damage includes a crown blown off an ancient column at the UNESCO-listed Al-Bass Roman ruins in Tyre, destruction at a pilgrimage site in another southern town, and hits on the Mamluk-era market in Nabatieh. The Crusader fortress in Tebnin also faces fears of damage from heavy bombing. Salame emphasized that heritage encompasses not only ancient antiquities but also historic buildings and sites with cultural functions.

Heritage is not only Roman and Phoenician antiquities. Heritage is also historic buildings, archaeological sites, and buildings with a cultural function.

— Ghassan SalameLebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame broadening the definition of heritage sites affected by Israeli strikes.

Despite a ceasefire taking hold a week prior, a full picture of the damage remains elusive. Lebanese authorities cannot fully assess the impact as Israeli troops maintain a security zone approximately 10 km deep into Lebanon, which is off-limits to Lebanese personnel. "We cannot work under the shadow of occupation," Salame said.

do not aim to "cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure and strikes only out of military necessity, with consideration for the safety of its citizens."

— IDFThe Israeli military's response to questions about damage to heritage sites.

In response to inquiries, the IDF stated that its operations are aimed at military necessity, not causing excessive damage to civilian infrastructure. They also claimed to consider the existence of "sensitive sites" and adhere to a rigorous approval process. However, barriers erected to shield ancient ruins from strikes were themselves blown into the middle of the Al-Bass site, illustrating the widespread impact of the conflict on cultural heritage.

It said it took into account the existence of "sensitive sites" and applied "a rigorous approval process as required."

— IDFThe Israeli military's explanation of its procedures regarding sensitive sites during operations.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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