Israeli strike causes damage to Shamoun es-Safa sanctuary, Lebanon appeals to UNESCO

SOUTH LEBANON — An Israeli airstrike caused significant damage Monday to the Shamoun es-Safa sanctuary.

This Shiite monument, according to local tradition, is believed to be the tomb of the prophet Shamoun es-Safa, located in the village of Shamaa in the Sour district.

In response, the culture ministry announced in a statement that it had filed “an urgent complaint with UNESCO,” requesting immediate and swift intervention to protect the archaeological site of the Shamaa citadel in southern Lebanon, after receiving information that Israeli forces were actively destroying the site.

More about the historical site

A history of the Shamaa citadel in southern Lebanon, damaged by Israeli strikes

The statement noted that the citadel has been under enhanced protection since 2024, in accordance with Protocol II of the 1954 Hague Convention, and reminded that the site had already been targeted by the Israeli military in 2024. It added that reports of damage to the Sour site are “baseless.”