Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area on the outskirts of the Lebanese city of Baalbeck, in the Bekaa Valley, on Oct. 31, 2024. In the foreground, the ancient Roman ruins are visible, with the standing colonnades of the Roman temple of Jupiter (right) and the temple of Bacchus (left). (Credit: Nidal Solh/AFP)
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are endangering, daily, historical sites scattered across the country, threatening the richness and diversity of its archaeological heritage. Against this backdrop, UNESCO's special committee for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict will convene on November 18 for an extraordinary session focused on Lebanon.Among the best-known sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the ruins of Baalbeck and the archaeological sites of Sour. However, other sites of great historical and archaeological importance to Lebanese heritage, though not listed, are also at risk. L’Orient-Le Jour provides an overview.Current DamageMost archaeological sites in Lebanon have largely been spared, but two have unfortunately sustained damage from recent airstrikes.An entire wall of the Citadel of Toron,...
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are endangering, daily, historical sites scattered across the country, threatening the richness and diversity of its archaeological heritage. Against this backdrop, UNESCO's special committee for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict will convene on November 18 for an extraordinary session focused on Lebanon.Among the best-known sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the ruins of Baalbeck and the archaeological sites of Sour. However, other sites of great historical and archaeological importance to Lebanese heritage, though not listed, are also at risk. L’Orient-Le Jour provides an overview.Current DamageMost archaeological sites in Lebanon have largely been spared, but two have unfortunately sustained damage from recent airstrikes.An entire wall of the Citadel of...