Mon Nov 18 07:48:51 UTC 2024: ## UNESCO Urged to Protect Lebanon’s Heritage Sites Amidst Ongoing Conflict

**Paris, France – November 18, 2024** – Hundreds of cultural professionals are calling on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to bolster protections for Lebanon’s endangered cultural heritage sites following recent Israeli airstrikes. A petition signed by over 300 prominent archaeologists, academics, and museum curators from across Europe and the United States was delivered to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on November 17th, ahead of a crucial meeting in Paris.

The petition highlights the damage inflicted on sites near the ancient Roman ruins of Baalbek and Tyre, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, during recent Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah strongholds. These strikes, part of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that began in late September, have resulted in the destruction of hotels, walkways, and shops adjacent to the historical areas.

The petition urges UNESCO to establish “no-target zones” around vulnerable sites, deploy international observers to monitor the situation, and enforce the provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. It further calls upon influential nations to pressure warring parties to cease military actions that endanger Lebanon’s cultural heritage and to implement stronger sanctions for violations.

Change Lebanon, the charity spearheading the petition, emphasizes the wider threat to Lebanon’s cultural heritage, citing damage to sites like Anjar, in addition to Baalbek and Tyre. The organization stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate international intervention to safeguard these invaluable historical landmarks. The UNESCO meeting is expected to consider placing Lebanese cultural sites under “enhanced protection.”

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