Lebanon’s Culture Minister, Ghassan Salame, stated that Israel’s recent military campaign has damaged or destroyed numerous heritage sites across southern Lebanon. The affected sites include the ancient city of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a crown was blown off an ancient column.

Damage to Historical Sites

The Israeli strikes have also damaged the Mamluk-era market in the city of Nabatieh and destroyed a pilgrimage site for Muslims and Christians in another southern town. The medieval Beaufort Castle and centuries-old villages have been affected as well.

Salame expressed concerns that the damage could be permanent, erasing centuries of Lebanese history. He also requested that UNESCO reclassify the site as a World Heritage Site in Danger to trigger more protection responsibilities.

Israel’s military stated that it does not aim to cause excessive damage to civilian infrastructure and only strikes out of military necessity. However, Lebanese authorities deny Israel’s claim that Hezbollah has placed weapons in the Beaufort Castle.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.