Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture has condemned what it described as repeated Israeli attacks on the ancient city of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, saying recent airstrikes caused damage to archaeological remains and administrative facilities at the site.
In a statement, the Directorate General of Antiquities said an Israeli strike on June 7 targeted an area at the entrance to the archaeological property known as the “City Site.”
According to the ministry, the attack hit a historic building, electricity generators near the main entrance, offices belonging to the Directorate General of Antiquities, and the south-eastern section of the archaeological complex.
The ministry said the strike caused direct damage to the entrance of the site and surrounding administrative buildings.
Archaeological features near the impact area, including ancient columns and capitals, were also affected.
Authorities said the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined because security conditions have prevented a comprehensive field assessment.
However, officials confirmed that archaeological structures within the site sustained damage requiring further evaluation once access becomes possible.
The ancient city of Tyre, located on Lebanon’s southern coast, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. In November 2024, it was granted Enhanced Protection status under the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Second Protocol on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
The Ministry of Culture said the latest incident forms part of a series of attacks that have affected the site and its surroundings since 2024. It added that such incidents intensified after May 2026, following Israeli evacuation orders covering the city of Tyre and airstrikes in nearby neighbourhoods.
The ministry said it had repeatedly submitted complaints to UNESCO regarding the situation. It described the attacks as violations of international legal obligations concerning the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict.
Lebanese authorities called on UNESCO and the international community to take urgent action to protect the archaeological site, warning that continued damage could result in the irreversible loss of a landmark representing more than 5,000 years of human history.
