Historic sites in southern Lebanon damaged by Israeli air strikes

Israeli air strikes targeted several sites in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to residential areas and historic landmarks, including a 12th‑century mosque and a UNESCO‑listed archaeological complex. The strikes, reported by local authorities and corroborated by satellite imagery, resulted in the destruction of dozens of homes, injuries to at least 27 civilians, and the loss of cultural heritage structures that have stood for centuries. Lebanese officials confirmed that emergency services were deployed to the affected towns of Tyre and Marjayoun, while the Ministry of Culture announced an assessment mission to evaluate the extent of the damage to the historic sites.

The attacks come amid a renewed escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have exchanged fire along the border for several weeks. International observers, including UNESCO, have expressed concern over the impact of the strikes on Lebanon’s cultural patrimony and have called for all parties to respect the protection of civilian infrastructure and heritage sites under international law. Humanitarian agencies warned that the destruction could exacerbate displacement and impede reconstruction efforts, urging a de‑escalation of military actions to prevent further loss of life and cultural assets.