Israel destroys UNESCO-listed shrine in southern Lebanon
TYRE, LEBANON - JANUARY 13: A view of the heavy destruction in the buildings of Shema, a town in southern Lebanon's Tyre district, following the withdrawal of the Israeli army two days ago, on January 13, 2025. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )
Israeli airstrikes on April 13th destroyed the Shrine of Prophet Shamoun al-Safa in the village of Chamaa in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district, according to local reports and cultural authorities, reports The New Arab staff and agencies on April 15th.
The site, considered a protected religious and archaeological landmark under international conventions, was reportedly completely razed, with its minaret among the structures destroyed.
Photographs taken by journalist Ali Ezzeddine show the shrine reduced to rubble following the strike. The site, located on an archaeological hill roughly five kilometres from the Lebanese-Palestinian border, is recognised as a shared Muslim-Christian heritage landmark and is listed on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List.
The destruction is part of a wider pattern of damage to religious and cultural sites in southern Lebanon. At least nine sites, including the Shrine of Prophet Benjamin in Muhaib, churches in Dardghaya and Yaroun, and a mosque in Blieda, have reportedly been damaged or destroyed in similar operations.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have previously documented footage appearing to show Israeli soldiers placing explosives inside religious buildings and recording their destruction.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture condemned the strike and described it as a violation of international protections for cultural heritage. The General Directorate of Antiquities has submitted an urgent complaint to UNESCO, calling for immediate intervention under the 1954 Hague Convention and its protocols, which provide enhanced protection for cultural property in conflict zones.
The shrine has a long history of being caught in conflict. It was previously struck in 1978, suffered damage in 2006, and had parts of its gateway removed in 1998. More recently, it was affected during the 2024 escalation. Restoration efforts have repeatedly been carried out with international assistance, including support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Despite repeated reconstruction efforts, officials say the latest strike appears to have once again destroyed the site, raising renewed concerns over the protection of cultural heritage in the region.
The New Arab staff and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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