Lebanon Requests UNESCO Assessment of 90 Archaeological Sites Damaged by Zionist Aggression

Lebanon has formally requested that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conduct an assessment of approximately 90 archaeological sites within its borders to evaluate the damage sustained during last year’s Zionist aggression against the country, according to reports from Lebanese media.

This request forms part of a draft resolution by UNESCO that includes organizational support for this endeavor, as indicated by sources within the Lebanese government.

Sarkis Khoury, the Director General of Antiquities at the Lebanese Ministry of Culture, stated during a symposium in Beirut on World Heritage Day that the recent Zionist assault on Lebanon “has resulted in significant losses in the cultural sector, along with human casualties.”

He noted that this aggression inflicted damage on “historical and religious monuments,” emphasizing that “40 villages adjacent to the border with occupied Palestine were obliterated. These villages hold historical significance, with roots extending back thousands of years.”

Khoury announced that Lebanon “requested UNESCO, following the war, to inspect the sites that suffered damage, identify the losses, and assess them,” highlighting that this evaluation encompasses 90 archaeological locations.

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants recently revealed that the Executive Board of UNESCO “adopted… a draft resolution titled: Assessment of the situation in Lebanon in connection with UNESCO’s mandate,” which addresses the support measures taken by the organization in three main areas: education and science, cultural heritage—particularly concerning the Lebanese sites listed on the World Heritage List, such as Baalbek and Anjar in the east, and Tyre in the south—and media safety for journalists.

It is important to note that the Zionist forces escalated its aggression against Lebanon in September 2024, following an initial onset in October 2023. A ceasefire was declared on November 27, 2024. It is important to note that violations by Zionist forces continue to be reported to this day, and these forces have not fully withdrawn from of the Lebanese territory.