Blue shields now guard 34 archaeological sites across Lebanon as Lebanon takes action to protect its cultural heritage amid escalating Israeli air and ground attacks, the Ministry of Culture announced on Sunday. The shields indicate that the sites were protected during wartime by international agreements on cultural property.
Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh told the Lebanese state news agency that the move was aimed at complying with the 1954 Hague Convention, which requires the protection of cultural heritage, including monuments and works of art, from damage during armed conflict. “The ministry is not standing idly by,” Salameh said, noting that he made a direct appeal to UNESCO Director-General Khalid Al-Anani on the first day of the conflict to ensure that all parties adhere to the convention.
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“Blue shields are placed on archaeological sites so that enemies are aware of them and respect the convention,” he said.
In 2014, shortly after Israel launched air strikes near Baalbek, a Roman temple complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List, UNESCO awarded 34 historic sites enhanced heritage protection. The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, attended by Lebanese UNESCO advisers. Salameh noted, however, that some Lebanese cultural sites remain outside UNESCO protection.
The broader US, Israeli and Iranian conflict – which spread to southern Lebanon in the wake of Hezbollah-led airstrikes against Israel – has caused damage to cultural sites and heritage areas across the country, the report said. The Al-Bass archaeological site in Tyre was damaged, as were 11 public libraries across Lebanon – three completely destroyed and around 10 partially damaged. “
A UNESCO spokesman said earlier this month that the agency “is already supporting Lebanon and has communicated the geographical coordinates of sites on the World Heritage List and of national importance to help prevent any potential damage.”
