An Israeli strike recently landed close to the Roman ruins in the Lebanese city of Baalbek, prompting concerns from local officials regarding the structural integrity of the historic site. While the Israeli attack was not directed at the ancient complex, Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr emphasized that it struck in close proximity, approximately 500 to 700 meters away, raising potential risks to the site.
Khodr shared an image showing smoke rising behind what appeared to be the monoliths of the ancient complex, underscoring the potential impact of such strikes on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Baalbek ruins are renowned for housing some of the largest and best-preserved Roman temples, withstanding various natural disasters and conflicts throughout history, including the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah conflict and Lebanon's civil war that spanned 15 years starting in 1975.
Situated in the northeastern region of Lebanon, the city of Baalbek has a notable Hezbollah presence and has been a repeated target of Israeli military actions in recent times. The Israeli Defense Forces have been conducting an intense bombing campaign in Lebanon, with the Lebanese government reporting casualties exceeding 1,400 individuals and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians from residential areas believed to be harboring Hezbollah operatives.
The specific target of the recent Israeli strike near the Baalbek ruins remains unclear, as the IDF has not provided details on the operation. However, the incident underscores the delicate balance between military actions and the preservation of cultural heritage sites, urging heightened vigilance to safeguard these invaluable historical treasures amidst ongoing regional tensions.
