BEIRUT, June 28 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The four-month-long Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah has left significant heritage sites across southern Lebanon damaged or destroyed. Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame reported that these military operations have impacted numerous landmarks, many of which hold protected status under international protocols.
Despite a ceasefire taking effect a week ago, local authorities have struggled to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the destruction. Israeli troops currently occupy a buffer zone extending approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, an area that remains completely off-limits to Lebanese preservation experts and government teams.
“We cannot work under the shadow of occupation,” Salame said regarding the inability of his department to access these locations.
Impact on historical landmarks
The damage reported by government officials spans multiple historical periods and locations. In the UNESCO-listed city of Tyre, an ancient Roman column lost its crown, and heritage plaques were cracked at the Al-Bass archaeological site. Barriers installed to protect these ruins were displaced, and local officials compared the site to the aftermath of an earthquake.
In the city of Nabatieh, airstrikes severely damaged the Mamluk-era commercial market. UNESCO has also expressed deep concern over direct structural damage to the historic citadel in the town of Chama. Furthermore, authorities have voiced serious fears regarding the state of the 900-year-old medieval Beaufort Castle and the Crusader fortress in Tebnine, both of which are located within or near zones of intense bombardment.
Beyond individual monuments, the campaign has impacted the social fabric of the region. Centuries-old villages that housed diverse communities of Christians, Shi’ite Muslims, and Sunni Muslims have reportedly been razed or bulldozed. These villages contained numerous historic places of worship that held significant cultural value for the local populations.
Official responses to destruction
The international community and local authorities are grappling with the scope of the losses. Minister Salame has formally requested that UNESCO reclassify Tyre as a “World Heritage Site in Danger.” This classification would trigger international protection mandates designed to safeguard cultural landmarks during active conflicts.
UNESCO has condemned the actions as “unlawful attacks against cultural property” and voiced alarm over the state of conservation for sites under its “enhanced protection” status. The organization has remained vocal about the need to preserve cultural heritage despite ongoing regional instability.
In response to inquiries regarding these events, the Israeli military stated that its operations strictly adhere to requirements of military necessity. The military asserted that it takes into account the existence of sensitive sites and applies a rigorous approval process. Israel has specifically accused Hezbollah of placing weapons within the walls of the medieval Beaufort Castle, a claim that Lebanese officials have denied.
History of the damaged regions
The cultural impact of the recent conflict is significant because modern-day Lebanon sits at a unique crossroads of history. The region contains remnants from Phoenician, Byzantine, Mamluk, and Crusader civilizations, each of which contributed to the architectural and archaeological landscape.
Tyre itself is a city with nearly 5,000 years of recorded history. Originally an island fortress, it was permanently connected to the mainland during the conquest of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. He famously constructed a kilometer-long causeway using debris from the old city to allow his army to cross the channel. Over subsequent centuries, natural sedimentation turned the causeway into the peninsula that exists today.
The city also holds a unique place in industrial history as the birthplace of “Tyrian Purple.” This rare dye was harvested from the glands of sea snails and was so expensive that its use was once restricted to Roman emperors.
Other sites, such as the cliffside Beaufort Castle, have also served as symbols of regional history for centuries. The castle has been a focal point of military interest across multiple eras, even inspiring artistic works such as the 2007 Oscar-nominated film Beaufort, which depicted life within its walls during previous conflicts.
The ongoing occupation of the border buffer zone remains the primary obstacle to restoration. Minister Salame warned that until these areas are accessible, the full extent of the loss will remain unknown, creating a risk that centuries of multicultural history could be permanently erased.
