UNESCO adds war-hit Lebanese city of Tyre to list of world heritage sites in danger

UNESCO has added the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre in southern Lebanon to its list of world heritage sites in danger. The organization stated that the site, which contains mainly Roman-era archaeological remains and was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list in 1984, "has been directly hit and has sustained damage" from recent Israeli strikes. The Lebanese government requested its inclusion due to growing concerns about its conservation and protection, especially given the possibility of further impacts from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. One of Tyre's two protected UNESCO sites, a Roman triumphal arch and a second-century hippodrome, suffered a direct hit in June. Meanwhile, Israel criticized UNESCO for its decision, accusing the organization of bias and "the cynical weaponization of cultural heritage," citing Hezbollah's alleged use of the Beaufort Castle as a military base.