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UN urges protection of cultural sites after Israel strikes in Lebanon's Baalbek

October 30, 2024 at 11:27 pm

Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric attends Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process press briefing at UN Headquarters on 07 February 2024 [Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images]

The UN urged the protection of cultural heritage sites, on Wednesday after reported Israeli air strikes on Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, Anadolu Agency reports.

“Clearly, we do not want to see any harm, to people and also to the cultural heritage,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

“I think one of the things we’ve seen in conflicts in recent years is the destruction of cultural heritage that can never be replaced,” he added.

His remarks came in response to a question on the situation in Lebanon after a new wave of Israeli air strikes near Baalbek, which reportedly killed 30 people.

An important urban centre in the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek is famous for its towering Roman ruins. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to more than 100,000 residents.

Previous Israeli air strikes in Douris have destroyed ancient sites.

Israel, last month, launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation in a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

More than 2,700 people have been killed and nearly 12,500 injured in Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on 1 October.

READ: Discover Baalbek, Lebanon