Lebanon's historic structures under threat from Israeli aggression

Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon are putting the country's ancient archaeological history at risk, archaeologists fear. Israel is attacking areas near historical sites, including Roman and Phoenician ruins Meanwhile, an Israeli attack in October damaged the historic sites of the ancient southern city of Baalbek.

Experts have warned that ongoing bombardment could damage or destroy important archaeological sites that date back thousands of years. Most at risk is the ancient city of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. where there are remains of temples, theaters and other important structures.

Archaeologists say greater efforts must be made to preserve Lebanon's cultural heritage amid the violence. These places are part of the region's rich history.

With the conflict showing no signs of abating anytime soon, they are calling on the international community to intervene to prevent further damage to this irreplaceable resource.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces claimed to the BBC that they only targeted Hezbollah military installations. But an analysis of the targets of recent attacks shows that Israel is attacking places where there are temples of Tire and Baalbek, a major port of the Phoenician Empire about 2,500 years ago, and various archaeological sites of the Roman Empire.

The BBC says there is no evidence that the Roman sites of Tire and the eastern city of Baalbek were damaged in the Israeli attack. But Lebanese archaeologists are alarmed, the ongoing war has drawn closer to the site of the millennia-old ruins, recognized by UNESCO as being of outstanding value to humanity.

Joan Farchakh Bazzali, a local archaeologist, said the situation in Baalbek was worse than in Tyre, as the temples were located within the targeted area and (IDF) temples were not spared.

He said that there is no Hezbollah military presence in Baalbek. But no one knows the excuse or the message behind these Israeli attacks.

More than 100 Lebanese lawmakers appealed to the United Nations on Thursday to ensure the preservation of heritage sites as Israel's intensified bombing campaign against Hezbollah continues.