{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-b4d5d229-7a44-589c-a643-a3ffad3740f0","title":"Iran, Gaza To Lebanon: Is Destroying Heritage Sites During War A Crime?","description":"Iran, Gaza To Lebanon, The Attack On Culture And History: Are countries allowed to strike heritage site during a war? What does the law say? Is there a punishment? News18 explains","timestamp":1773828008,"category":"international","headline":"Iran, Gaza To Lebanon: Is Destroying Heritage Sites During War A Crime?","modifiedHeadline":"Is destroying heritage in war illegal? Explained","subCategories":["scid_afe28127"],"subcategoriesName":["International Political News"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c80449a0-0ad6-472b-8d17-5747dd8f5c83","bundleTitle":"Around the globe","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"389","iabCategoryName":"War and Conflicts","fcSummary":"Escalating regional conflicts across the middle east are damaging and destroying irreplaceable heritage sites. iran reports 56 cultural sites damaged, including the golestan palace and historic mosques, due to strikes. lebanon has seen over 100 heritage buildings impacted, while gaza has lost over 41 historic sites, including the great omari mosque. international law protects cultural property, but military necessity can be a factor.","summary":"Regional conflicts damage heritage sites in Iran, Lebanon, & Gaza. Attacks may be war crimes, impacting ancient landmarks & cultural treasures.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-b4d5d229-7a44-589c-a643-a3ffad3740f0","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/explainers/iran-gaza-to-lebanon-the-attack-on-culture-and-history-is-destroying-heritage-sites-during-war-a-crime-ws-kl-9983553.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/jUfcm_7Kid00.webp","content":"

Iran to Gaza and Lebanon – the escalation of regional conflicts across the world has damaged or even destroyed several world-renowned heritage sites due to shockwaves and debris from nearby airstrikes.

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Are countries allowed to strike heritage site during a war? What does the law say? Is there a punishment? News18 explains.

56 CULTURAL SITES IN IRAN DAMAGED

The Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage reported that at least 56 cultural sites have been damaged since February 28. Most damage was caused by shockwaves from strikes on nearby government or military targets, according to Al Jazeera.
These include:
Golestan Palace, Tehran: A UNESCO World Heritage site and former Qajar royal complex. Following a strike on nearby Arag Square on March 2, it suffered shattered mirrored ceilings, blown-out windows, and broken archways.

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Isfahan Historic Sites

Chehel Sotoun Palace: This 17th-century Safavid pavilion saw fallen murals, cracked frescoes, and damaged mirrorwork after a March 10 strike on an adjacent building.
Masjed-e Jame (Friday Mosque): Iran’s oldest Friday mosque suffered structural stress and damage to its ancient tilework and decorative elements from blast waves.
Ali Qapu Palace: Located on the famous Naqsh-e Jahan Square, it reported dislodged tilework and broken doors.

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Khorramabad Valley, Lorestan Province: Prehistoric sites dating back 63,000 years were affected by shockwaves that damaged nearby buffer-zone buildings.
Siraf, Bushehr Province: Historic 19th-century houses in this ancient port city were hit during strikes.

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\"\" — \n A destroyed mosque, caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive, is seen in the town of Khiam, southern Lebanon, in 2025. (AP)\n

100 HERITAGE BUILDINGS HIT IN LEBANON

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has led to the damage or destruction of over 100 heritage buildings in Lebanon from 2024-25, state news reports.
Baalbek Citadel: This Roman temple complex, a UNESCO site, sustained scars on its outer walls and damage to surrounding historic buildings like the Palmyra Hotel.
Tebnin Castle: A Crusader-era fortress where an outer wall collapsed due to bombing.

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US-Israel Strikes Damage Tehran’s Infra, Palace, Tourist Spots: Iran’s ‘Capital’ Punishment Explained

Nabatieh Market: A 19th-century heritage market consisting of 40 traditional shops was directly targeted and destroyed.
Religious Sites: Notable losses include the Ottoman-era mosque in Kfar Tebnit and the 100-year-old Greek Catholic Church in Derdghaya, both of which were largely reduced to rubble.

41 HISTORIC SITES DAMAGED IN GAZA

UNESCO estimates that over 41 historic siteshave been damaged or destroyed in Gaza since October 2023.
Qasr al-Basha: This 13th-century fort was completely destroyed and bulldozed during the invasion.
Great Omari Mosque: Gaza’s largest and oldest mosque was severely damaged, with its famous Mamluk-era minaret destroyed.
Church of Saint Porphyrius: One of the oldest active churches in the world sustained significant damage during an airstrike on its complex.

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ISRAEL

While information is more limited, reports indicate damage to historic infrastructure within Israel during the ongoing regional escalation.
\n Jerusalem Religious Sites: Debris from intercepted missiles landed near major religious landmarks in the Old City.
\n Historical Buildings: Reports suggest over 100 heritage-listed buildings in Israel have suffered varying degrees of damage from rocket fire and regional strikes during 2025 and 2026.

IS ATTACK ON HERITAGE SITES A WAR CRIME?

Attacking heritage sites during a war is generally considered a war crime under international law. The protection of cultural property is grounded in the principle that damage to the heritage of any people is “damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind”.

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Key Legal Frameworks

The 1954 Hague Convention: The primary international treaty dedicated to protecting cultural property (monuments, museums, archives) during armed conflict. It requires parties to refrain from acts of hostility against such property.
The Rome Statute: This treaty, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), explicitly classifies “intentionally directing attacks” against historic monuments and buildings dedicated to religion, art, or science as a war crime.
UN Security Council Resolution 2347 (2017): The first resolution focused exclusively on the protection of cultural heritage, condemning its unlawful destruction during armed conflicts.

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\"\" — \n Palestinians gather to attend Friday prayers at the Great Omari Mosque, which was damaged during the Israeli military’s air and ground operation in Gaza City, in 2025. (AP)\n

WHEN IS IT NOT A CRIME?

There are specific legal exceptions where an attack may not be classified as a war crime:
Military necessity: If a heritage site is being used for military purposes (e.g., as a headquarters or weapon depot), it may lose its protected status and become a “military objective”.
Incidental damage: Damage that is collateral or incidental to a lawful attack on a nearby military target is generally not a crime, provided the damage is not “clearly excessive” in relation to the military advantage.

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WERE THERE CONVICTIONS?

Al Mahdi Case (2016): In a landmark ruling, the ICC convicted Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi of a war crime for the intentional destruction of historic mausoleums in Timbuktu, Mali.

With agency inputs

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Iran, Gaza To Lebanon: Is Destroying Heritage Sites During War A Crime?

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