Beirut: The Ministry of Culture - Directorate General of Antiquities on Monday condemned the repeated Israeli attacks targeting the Archaeological Site of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and a property granted Enhanced Protection status since November 2024 under the 1954 Hague Convention and its 1999 Second Protocol on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the Ancient City of Tyre, which embodies over 5,000 years of human history, is an essential part of humanity's shared cultural heritage and holds significant historical and symbolic importance. The Ministry highlighted that safeguarding the site is not solely Lebanon's responsibility but a collective obligation under international law and conventions dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage.
The Ministry reported that on 7 June 2026, Israeli airstrikes targeted the area directly adjacent to the entrance of the archaeological property known as the "City Site." The strike impacted a historic building, electricity generators near the main entrance, the offices of the Directorate General of Antiquities, and the southeastern section of the archaeological property.
The statement noted that the attack caused direct damage to the entrance area and administrative buildings, while archaeological elements in the vicinity, including ancient columns and capitals, also sustained damage. A full assessment remains impossible due to the current security situation, but the Ministry confirmed that archaeological structures within the property were affected and will require a comprehensive field evaluation once access becomes safe.
The Directorate General of Antiquities indicated that the strike forms part of a continuing pattern of violations targeting the site and its surroundings since 2024, despite the property's protected status under international conventions. It noted that attacks have intensified following evacuation orders issued for the city of Tyre and airstrikes targeting the neighboring Al-Athar district.
The Ministry emphasized that, despite repeated complaints submitted to UNESCO and the site's Enhanced Protection designation, attacks against the Archaeological Site of Tyre have continued, constituting a serious violation of international law and obligations related to the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict.
The Ministry called on UNESCO, the international community, and all organizations concerned with cultural heritage protection to take immediate and effective measures to safeguard the Archaeological Site of Tyre and prevent any military actions that could result in further destruction or the irreversible loss of a unique component of humanity's collective memory and heritage.