An Israeli air strike hit a car park near the Unesco-designated Roman ruins in Baalbek. The attack, which also destroyed a centuries-old Ottoman building, raised concerns about the potential irreparable damage to historical sites in Lebanon due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Archaeologists fear for the safety of sites like Baalbek and Tyre, as they are in close proximity to the military targets being hit by Israel. Despite no evidence of damage yet, Lebanese archaeologists are alarmed by how close the fighting has been to these millennia-old ruins. Some Lebanese sought refuge at the Baalbek ruins, believing they would not be targeted, prompting local authorities to warn against such actions. Israeli archaeologist Erez Ben-Yosef recognizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and believes Israel is taking precautions to prevent damage to archaeological sites. The risk of unintentional damage to these sites remains, as highlighted by the destruction seen in Gaza during the conflict with Hamas. Graham Philip, an archaeology professor, stresses the significance of these ancient sites as anchors to the past and the cultural identity of the population. “Getty Images
“Es parte de su identidad.”
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