UNESCO has added two contested locations to its World Heritage in Danger list: a Lebanese castle and an archaeological site in the occupied West Bank. The update puts international attention on heritage places the UN cultural agency believes are at risk in the context of Israeli activity.
According to the report, the Lebanese site is a castle that Israeli forces recently captured. UNESCO also included a West Bank archaeological location, expanding scrutiny over cultural heritage in areas affected by conflict and occupation.
Israel rejected the decision to place both sites on the endangered list. The move highlights the long-running political disputes that often surround UNESCO heritage decisions, especially when they involve territory, military activity and competing historical claims.
By listing the Lebanese castle and the West Bank site as endangered, UNESCO is signaling concern about their preservation and current conditions. The decision is likely to deepen debate over how cultural landmarks are protected when armed conflict and territorial disputes directly affect them.
