Blue shields now guard 34 archaeological sites across Lebanon, as the country moves to protect its cultural heritage amid escalating air and ground assaults from Israel, the Lebanese Culture Ministry announced Sunday. The shields signal that the sites are protected under international agreements regarding cultural property during wartime.
Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh told Lebanon’s National News Agency that the move aims to comply with the 1954 Hague Convention, which requires safeguarding cultural heritage—including monuments and artworks—against destruction during armed conflict. “The ministry did not stand idly by,” Salameh said, noting that he appealed directly to UNESCO Director-General Khaled Anani on the first day of the conflict to ensure all parties comply with the convention.
“Blue shields have been placed on archaeological sites so that the enemy will be aware of them and respect the convention,” he said.
In 2014, 34 historic sites were granted heritage enhanced protection from UNESCO shortly after an Israeli airstrike near Baalbek—a Roman temple complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was reached at an emergency session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, attended by Lebanon’s UNESCO adviser. Salameh noted, however, that several Lebanese cultural sites remain outside UNESCO’s protection.
According to the report, the wider US–Israel–Iran conflict — which has spilled into southern Lebanon after a Hezbollah‑led aerial strike on Israel — has already resulted in damage to cultural venues and heritage areas across the country. The Al-Bass archaeological site in Tyre has sustained damage, along with 11 public libraries across Lebanon—three completely destroyed and about ten partially damaged.”
UNESCO spokesperson said earlier this month that the agency “is already supporting Lebanon, having communicated to all parties the geographic coordinates of sites on the World Heritage List, as well as those of national significance, to help prevent any potential damage.”
