Israeli Invasion Threatens UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lebanon

Since February 28, 2026, US-Israeli military attacks have intensified across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, marking the sixth Israeli invasion of Lebanon since 1978. The ground advance is the deepest in 26 years, causing mass displacement in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire agreement from November 27, 2024, set to expire on March 2, 2026, was never respected, as evidenced by destruction of towns and World Heritage Sites. UNESCO issued its latest condemnation on May 29, 2026, responding to the ongoing escalation of hostilities and unlawful attacks against cultural property. The Baalbek temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Beqaa Valley, is among the endangered landmarks.