Destruction at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Baalbek in Lebanons eastern Bekaa Valley, with the ancient citys Roman temple in the background, on Nov. 7, 2024. (Source: AFP)
Lebanon's world-renowned cultural heritage sites are more than stone and mortar; they tell the story of a nation and form an integral part of the Lebanese collective identity. Yet, under incessant Israeli fire, these treasures have been put in grave danger.
In late September, residents of the Baalbeck region, home to some of the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, were issued an evacuation order by Israel as it began to pummel the area with airstrikes.
By October, falling precariously close to the legendary temple, strikes had destroyed two of the fortress’s surrounding walls and the nearby heritage building known as Mechiyeh, a paragon of French Mandate architecture. Damage was also inflicted on the iconic Palmyra Hotel, once a cultural haven for artists like Fayrouz and Nina Simone. Emmanuel Haddad examined the extent and significance of these damages at the time.
Beyond Baalbeck, other sites of historical and archeological importance have faced similar threats. The Citadel of Toron, a Crusader fortress in Tebnine has seen an entire wall obliterated, while Sour’s Roman baths and triumphal arch stand in peril as residents flee the violence. Nour Braidy provided us with an overview of the lesser-known but still incredibly valuable sites at risk.
However, despite the destruction, a coordinated effort is underway to protect Lebanon’s historical sites. On Oct. 21, Lebanon submitted a resolution to UNESCO’s Executive Board that was unanimously adopted and a special fund was established to assist in protecting Lebanon's cultural heritage, education and journalism. We spoke to Lebanon’s ambassador to UNESCO about the delegation’s critical efforts.
Civil society has also been mobilized. The Baalbeck International Festival team, led by Nayla de Freige, has been instrumental in advocating and rallying global support to protect Lebanon's endangered heritage.
And these appeals have borne fruit. On Monday, UNESCO announced that it was placing 34 cultural sites in Lebanon threatened by Israeli bombardments under "provisional reinforced protection" and granting emergency financial assistance to save the country's heritage.
While the fight to save Lebanon’s cultural heritage continues, the success of these efforts so far reminds us that we are not totally powerless in this war and that national pride can still be preserved.