UNESCO has added sites in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon to its list of endangered World Heritage places, marking an emergency move that drew objections from Israel. The decision was taken by a committee vote on Friday during a UNESCO meeting in Busan.
According to the announcement, the new entries include Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and five castles in Lebanon. Placement on the endangered list is used for heritage locations considered to face serious risks and in need of urgent international attention.
The vote highlights the sensitivity that often surrounds heritage decisions in conflict-affected areas. In this case, the measure went ahead despite Israeli opposition, underscoring the political tensions linked to cultural and historical sites in the region.
UNESCO’s action puts renewed focus on the condition and protection of these locations. With Sebastia and the Lebanese castles now on the endangered register, the sites are likely to receive closer international scrutiny as preservation concerns remain in the spotlight.
