PARIS, NOV 19 – Dozens of heritage sites in Lebanon were granted ‘temporarily enhanced protection’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) yesterday, offering heightened legal protection following ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
A total of 34 affected cultural properties now ‘enjoy the protection of the highest immunity against attack and use for military purposes,’ according to a UNESCO statement.
Several Israeli attacks in recent weeks in eastern Lebanon’s Baalbek and in southern Lebanon’s Tyre, both strongholds of Iran-backed Hezbollah, have reportedly been near ancient Roman ruins designated as a World Heritage site.
UNESCO said the decision helped send a message to the entire international community about the urgent need to protect the sites.
“Failure to comply with these clauses will be considered a ‘serious breach’ of the 1954 Hague Convention and… may be the basis for prosecution,” the statement added.
Hezbollah and Israel have been at war since late September, after Israel shifted its focus from fighting Hamas in Gaza to attacks on its northern border, although the conflict in Gaza continues. – AFP
