Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon devastates centuries of history

A plume of smoke rises following an Israeli attack on the outskirts of Tyre, southern Lebanon, on June 1, 2026 [AFP]

Dated to the third millennium BC, Tyre grew into one of the Mediterranean’s leading maritime powers. After Alexander the Great’s siege in 332 BC linked the island city to the mainland, Tyre flourished under Greek, Roman and Byzantine rule before gradually declining in the centuries after the Crusades.

A UNESCO delegation in front of the ancient ruins of the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre [Jihad Seklawi/AFP]

“Bombings fell very close to the ruins of Tyre,” Minister Salame said, adding that the medieval Beaufort Castle overlooking Nabatieh was “directly hit”.

[Courtesy of Wikipedia]

UNESCO enhanced protection

Lebanon is home to at least 39 cultural sites that have been granted provisional enhanced protection. Several of them are in the south, in areas affected by the ongoing Israeli military operations.

The designation provides the highest level of legal protection for cultural heritage under international law, with any noncompliance constituting a serious breach of the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Second Protocol and potentially giving rise to criminal responsibility.

In a news release on April 1, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, the assistant director-general for culture at UNESCO, emphasised the protection of cultural heritage and how it serves as a backbone of people’s identity.

“When heritage is destroyed anywhere, moral standards are undermined, social cohesion is eroded, and trust and resilience are jeopardised,” he stated.

Some of the most notable protected sites include:

Beaufort Castle

Known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, the 12th-century Crusader fortress is perched 700 metres (2,300ft) above southern Lebanon. Overlooking the Litani River, its commanding position made it one of the region’s most strategic strongholds.

Control of the castle passed from the Crusaders to successive regional powers, including the Ottomans. Palestinian fighters later used it as a base before Israel captured it during its 1982 invasion and occupied it until it withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.

Villagers inspect the damage to Beaufort Castle, 10km (6 miles) northwest of Nabatieh, Lebanon, on May 24, 2000 [Ahmed Mantash/AP Photo]

There are four other medieval castles in the Mount Amel region reflecting centuries of Crusader, Ayyubid, Mamluk and local influence, documenting the evolution of military architecture in southern Lebanon.

Qalaat Tibnin (Toron), Qalaat Chakra (Dubieh), Qalaat Deir Kifa (Maron) and Qalaat Chamaa began as Crusader strongholds in the 12th century and were repeatedly rebuilt and reused over the centuries.

The sites preserve archaeological layers spanning from the Roman era and earlier, with evidence of Bronze Age settlement at Tibnin and Chamaa.

Temple of Eshmun

The Eshmun sanctuary near Sidon spans 3.6 hectares (almost 9 acres) on the banks of the Awali River. Dedicated to the Phoenician healing god Eshmun, it is one of the region’s most important healing sites.

Eshmun Azar Temple in the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon, which was partially restored after being damaged during the 1975-90 civil war [File: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP]

Historic Centre of Saida (Sidon)

About 40km (25 miles) south of Beirut, Sidon grew into one of Phoenicia’s leading ports, building its wealth on Mediterranean trade, purple dye, glassmaking and metalwork. Its historic core includes an ancient tell, a fishing harbour, as well as sea and land castles.

The Historic Centre of Saida is among the sites granted enhanced protection, a designation that covers both World Heritage properties and sites still under consideration for inscription.

A man buys fresh produce in the market of the historic part of Sidon, on April 6, 2020 [Joseph Eid/AFP]

Chhim Archaeological Site

Lebanon’s Chouf region preserves the remains of a Roman and Byzantine village, including houses, a temple dedicated to the sun god Helios, and a Byzantine basilica. The site offers a rare glimpse into rural life and worship in late antiquity.

The Chhim Archaeological Site, in the Chouf region, Lebanon [File: Shutterstock]

The Chehabi Citadel

The site overlooks Hasbaiyya in southern Lebanon. Originally a Crusader stronghold, it was taken by the Chehab emirs in the 12th century and later became their seat of power. Parts of the fortress remain occupied by the family today.

Qabr Hiram (Tomb of Hiram)

Near Tyre, it is a monumental stone tomb traditionally associated with Hiram, the Phoenician king of Tyre. Its massive limestone sarcophagus reflects Phoenician burial traditions and the enduring legacy of the ancient kingdom.

Tomb of King Hiram I of Tyre, located in the village of Hanaouay in southern Lebanon [Creative Commons]

Qana Cave

Located in the hills between Salfit and Qalqilya, it contains archaeological remains dating from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. Christian tradition holds that Jesus and his disciples prayed there around the time of the wedding at Cana, where he is said to have turned water into wine.

Qana Cave, where Jesus is believed to have spent three days [Creative Commons]

Shawakeer Archaeological Tell

In the south of Tyre, it preserves evidence of human activity dating back to the Lower Palaeolithic period. Archaeologists also found traces of stone-tool production from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age I.