International and local concerns have escalated over the fate of human heritage in Lebanon, following a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted the vicinity of archaeological landmarks in the city of Tyre. This city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and it has been officially listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list since the 1980s.
Field sources reported that one of the violent strikes resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of homes located within protected historical areas, causing direct and indirect damage to the archaeological infrastructure. These aggressions come at a time when these sites are supposed to enjoy strict international legal protection that prohibits their violation under any military circumstances.
UNESCO had previously announced the granting of 'Temporary Enhanced Protection' status to 39 cultural sites in Lebanon in response to urgent official requests. This list includes prominent landmarks in Baalbek and Tyre, in addition to the National Museum in Beirut and the archaeological site of Byblos, which dates back approximately 8,000 years.
In details of the aggressions, the 'Al-Bass' archaeological site in Tyre witnessed destruction affecting recently excavated artifacts due to the targeting of a neighboring house, and structures dating back to the Byzantine era were also damaged. The Lebanese Ministry of Culture condemned this behavior, describing it as a systematic aggression against cultural and civilizational heritage that represents the memory of peoples.
Tyre city hosts unique landmarks such as the Roman hippodrome, which is among the largest and best-preserved in the ancient Roman world. It also includes the famous 'Arch of Triumph' which represents a ceremonial entrance to the city dating back to the period of Emperor Hadrian, making its targeting an irreplaceable loss for human history.
For his part, Alwan Sharaf El-Din, Deputy Mayor of Tyre, confirmed that the city has been subjected to repeated aggressions since the 1982 occupation, noting that the occupation is not limited to destruction but also extends to theft. He explained that there is historical evidence of the transfer of stone sarcophagi and golden treasures from the region into the occupied territories during previous periods.
Sharaf El-Din pointed to Israeli attempts to obliterate Lebanese identity through false claims about the affiliation of some historical sites, such as Qalaat Shamaa (Shamaa Castle). This medieval castle was directly targeted, leading to extensive damage to large parts of it, as part of a policy of destroying defensive and historical landmarks.
These sites are subject to the 1954 Hague Convention, which obliges conflicting parties to protect cultural property and not use it for military purposes. However, field facts indicate a complete disregard for these laws, as shells and missiles fall very close to Roman columns and historical walls.
On the humanitarian front, the attacks caused a massive wave of displacement, as Tyre city received thousands of displaced people before it itself became a target for intense raids. In one of the recent massacres, the occupation targeted a residential neighborhood minutes before a ceasefire came into effect, leading to the martyrdom of 23 people under the rubble.
Search and rescue operations continue in the targeted areas amidst extreme difficulties, while Lebanese officials continue to issue distress calls to international organizations. Observers believe that international silence regarding the destruction of antiquities encourages the occupation to continue its 'scorched earth' policy that spares neither humans nor stones.
Archaeological sites in Tyre are not just tourist attractions, but rather civilizational symbols that have been successively inhabited by Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic peoples. The destruction of these landmarks means erasing layers of human history that contributed to shaping the consciousness of the region and the world throughout the ages.
In Baalbek, the massive complex of Roman temples faces a similar danger, as the ground shakes under the weight of nearby explosions, threatening the collapse of sensitive stone structures. These temples are considered among the finest examples of Roman imperial architecture that have stood for thousands of years before this escalation.
Beirut's National Museum, which houses more than 100,000 artifacts, has also been placed under enhanced protection for fear of direct or indirect attack. The museum's collections document the region's history from the Stone Age to the Mamluk periods, making it a national and global treasure.
In conclusion, Lebanese heritage remains hostage to field developments, amidst continued Israeli violations of ceasefire agreements. Demands persist for effective international mechanisms to hold those responsible for the destruction of global cultural heritage accountable and to ensure that these civilizational crimes are not repeated.
Israel targets humans and stones, and seeks to destroy cultural and civilizational heritage and obliterate the historical identity of the region.
شارك برأيك
Human Heritage Under Fire: Israeli Raids Threaten Archaeological Sites in Lebanon