Lebanon: Amid Humanitarian Crisis, Cultural Property Endangered by Israeli Strikes [Updated]

                        (Source BBC)                      

In Lebanon, following the end of the 2006 war, relative calm prevailed despite repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by both sides. Israel conducted near-daily overflights of Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah failed to disarm. Tensions reignited in April 2023, leading to increased violence.

The ongoing Israel–Hamas war and daily attacks on Gaza have triggered a renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. On October 8, 2023 - one day after Hamas launched an infamous large-scale attack on Israel, Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas. Since then, exchanges of fire, including airstrikes and shelling, have escalated.

The conflict intensified at the end of September this year, when Israel launched an aerial bombing campaign across Lebanon. On September 30, Israel initiated a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah fighters and weapons capabilities near the border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as “limited, localized, and targeted,” focusing on villages close to the border that posed immediate threats to northern Israeli communities. Shelling intensified in border areas, including Marjayoun, Wazzani, and Khiam, accompanied by a heavy presence of Israeli aircraft over southern Lebanon. Notably, a reported airstrike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon (the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon), resulted in multiple casualties.

The ongoing conflict has so far caused over 3,700 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than 1.2 million people, approximately one-fifth of the population, according to the United Nations. Beyond the tragic loss of life and displacement of families, communities are facing severe destabilisation.

In addition to the current humanitarian crisis,Lebanon's already vulnerable cultural heritage faces increasing threats. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has issued a statement highlighting the risks to Lebanon’s cultural heritage. 

Israeli attacks have struck areas near significant ancient sites, including an airstrike close to the ancient citadel of Baalbek, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to Lebanese officials, the strike landed approximately 500 to 700 metres from the site. The cities of Saida and Sour, home to invaluable heritage sites, are also under heavy bombardment, receiving insufficient media attention. Other endangered heritage sites include Anjar, Byblos, and Wadi Qadisha, alongside the historic souks of Nabatieh. On October 13, the Ottoman mosque in Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh, was reportedly destroyed by an airstrike. These losses underscore the urgent need for international action to protect Lebanon’s cultural legacy amid the ongoing conflict.

Currently, no comprehensive data exists on the extent of damage to archaeological sites or heritage buildings in the south, as the country continues to face intense bombardment. A local informant described the situation, stating that the bombings are carried out by forces showing "no respect for treaties, agreements, or human rights, indifferent to classified archaeological sites and human life”. Lebanese writer and political commentator Ghassan Jawad has accused Israel of "not just just fighting Hezbollah. It intentionally seeks to eradicate Lebanon's rich cultural heritage and collective history, aiming to raise the Lebanese cost of supporting the resistance and reshape the state's political and demographic fabric".

UNESCO has been called upon to alert the United Nations and its Security Council to demand that Israel adhere to international laws protecting cultural heritage.

Update: Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on 26 November 2024 after some 60 days' military action. 

References

BBC, 'What is Hezbollah and why is Israel attacking Lebanon?' 1 October 2024

Chao-Fong, Léonie; Belam, Martin; Gecsoyler, Sammy; Yerushalmy, Jonathan "Middle East crisis live: Israel launches small raids across border amid reports Lebanese army is pulling back". The Guardian 30 September 2024

Dalal Harb and Houssam Hariri, 'Displaced families in Lebanon yearn for peace and a return home', UNHCR 6 October 2024 .

Lucy Williamsonn 'Inside Israel's combat zone in southern Lebanon' BBC News 12 October 2024

ABNA24, 'Video / Photos: Historic Ottoman mosque of Kfar Tebnit completely destroyed in Israeli airstrike in Nabatieh'. Abna World Service 13 October 2024.

Ghassan Jawad, 'Israel's war on Lebanon’s history and heritage' The Cradle NOV 6, 2024 ,