Israel Orders Entire City of Baalbek to Evacuate, Targets UNESCO World Heritage site
Baalbek (Quds News Network)- The Israeli military issued an evacuation order Wednesday to residents of Baalbek and nearby villages Ain Bourday and Douris in eastern Lebanon, threatening of imminent airstrikes targeting what it described as ‘Hezbollah interests’ in the area. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee shared the warning on the social platform X, accompanied by a map showing the targeted region. Adraee ordered residents to “leave these areas immediately,” citing intentions to strike what he called ‘Hezbollah assets’ within these locations.
In the same vein, Lebanese Minister of Culture Mohammad Wissam Mortada condemned the threat, highlighting the potential for damage to Baalbek’s ancient fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mortada took immediate action, reaching out to Lebanon’s permanent delegation to UNESCO and requesting renewed appeals to protect the site from Israeli attacks. He also issued a public plea to the United Nations and the international community, stating that “Baalbek’s cultural heritage belongs to all of humanity, not only Lebanon,” and equating Israel’s threat with acts of terrorism that have targeted world heritage in the past.
Security sources later confirmed that Israel began a series of airstrikes on Baalbek and surrounding villages in the Bekaa Valley, prompting thousands of residents to flee hours after the evacuation order. Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bashir Khodr called for immediate evacuation due to the high population density in the area, urging citizens to prioritize their safety. Some residents sought refuge within Baalbek Fortress itself, but Khodr warned the site is no longer safe following damage to several of its structures from recent strikes.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported a rising death toll from Israeli strikes across Lebanon, now reaching 2,729 civilians, with 12,772 others injured as the assault continues to escalate.
