L'UNESCO aggiunge la città libanese di Tiro, colpita dalla guerra, alla lista dei siti del patrimonio mondiale in pericolo

UNESCO has officially added the war-torn city of Tyre in southern Lebanon to its list of world heritage sites in danger. The move follows a series of Israeli strikes that have caused significant damage to the ancient city’s historical landmarks. Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city with roots stretching back nearly 4,700 years, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984 due to its rich Roman-era archaeological remains. The decision came as UNESCO held its 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. Tyre, located approximately 83 kilometers south of Beirut and just 20 kilometers from the Israeli border, has become a focal point of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. In recent months, the city has endured repeated Israeli airstrikes, prompting many residents to flee their homes. The situation escalated in early March when Hezbollah, seeking revenge for the U.S.-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader, launched rocket attacks across the border. In response, Israel conducted heavy air strikes and a ground invasion, resulting in widespread destruction and casualties. According to Lebanon’s health authorities, over 4,300 people have died, though they do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces claim to have eliminated more than 2,500 Hezbollah fighters, including numerous members of the group’s elite Radwan Force. Among the most affected sites in Tyre is a Roman-era triumphal arch and a hippodrome, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of these structures was directly struck by an Israeli missile in June, causing extensive damage. Adnan Istanbuli, an employee at the Directorate General of Antiquities, inspected the aftermath of the attack, noting that parts of the architectural elements had been severely compromised. The city, historically significant as a hub for multiple civilizations, including Phoenician, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, now faces an uncertain future amid the ongoing hostilities. Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame has publicly criticized Israel for allegedly violating international agreements such as the Hague Convention, which mandates the protection of cultural sites during conflicts. He also pointed out that Israel has ignored the “blue shields,” a globally recognized symbol used to mark locations requiring special protection during wartime. These accusations come as UNESCO formally recognizes the threat posed to Tyre’s historical integrity, marking a critical moment in the preservation of global heritage. Meanwhile, Israel has raised concerns about the potential bias of UNESCO, arguing that the organization has failed to address Hezbollah’s alleged misuse of historical sites. Specifically, Israel highlighted the Beaufort Castle, a Crusader fortress currently under Israeli control, which Hezbollah previously used as a military base. The country urged the World Heritage Committee to reject what it describes as the “cynical weaponization of cultural heritage.” During the current conflict, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets from the Beaufort Ridge toward northern Israel, primarily targeting the border town of Metula. Israel asserts that UNESCO’s lack of action on these matters represents a failure of ethical responsibility. As the conflict continues to unfold, the fate of Tyre’s historical treasures remains uncertain. With the city already bearing the scars of war, the inclusion on UNESCO’s danger list underscores the urgent need for international intervention to safeguard its irreplaceable legacy. The situation highlights broader tensions surrounding the role of cultural heritage in modern warfare, drawing attention to the complex interplay between history, politics, and conflict.