Baalbek under imminent threat as Israel issues evacuation order for entire city
People inspect the destruction at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike on the Gouraud Barracks neighbourhood of Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek, in the vicinity of the ancient Roman ruins of Heliopolis on October 29, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The Israeli military has issued urgent evacuation orders for residents of ancient site Baalbek and the surrounding areas in eastern Lebanon, warning that it plans to strike Hezbollah facilities in the region.
The evacuation orders also apply to the towns of Ain Bourday and Douris.
Evacuation warning issued
The Israeli army posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, urging residents of Baalbek, Ain Bourday, and Douris to leave their homes immediately for their safety. The military emphasized that it does not intend to harm civilians but will act “forcefully” against Hezbollah’s interests in the area.
“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move outside the city and villages,” the statement read, pointing residents to three evacuation routes: Zahle-Baalbek Highway, Nahle-Baalbek Road, and Cedar Road-Baalbek.
Map, routes provided for evacuation
Alongside the evacuation orders, the Israeli army shared a map showing the suggested routes residents should use to leave the area.
Lebanon’s cultural heritage at risk from Israeli airstrikes
Lebanon is a nation with an extraordinary cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. The country’s history is deeply intertwined with some of the most significant civilizations in human history.
Around 3000 B.C., the Phoenicians, renowned seafarers and traders, established themselves along Lebanon’s coast, founding cities such as Byblos, Tyre and Sidon.
They are credited with creating one of the earliest alphabets, which influenced modern writing systems.
During the Roman Empire, Lebanon became a crucial part of the empire’s eastern provinces.
Baalbek, known in antiquity as Heliopolis, became a center for Roman religious worship, featuring some of the largest and best-preserved Roman temples still standing today, like the Temple of Jupiter, constructed between the first and third centuries C.E.
Over the centuries, Lebanon saw the rise and fall of empires, from the Persians to the Ottomans, each leaving behind layers of cultural and architectural heritage.
However, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has placed these treasures at grave risk.
Israeli airstrikes near Lebanon’s cultural treasures endanger millennia of history
Lebanon is home to some of the most ancient and significant archaeological sites in the world, encompassing thousands of years of human history.
However, as Israeli airstrikes hit Lebanon, the proximity of these historical sites makes them increasingly vulnerable.
- Baalbek: This city, famous for its well-preserved Roman temples, faces imminent danger as airstrikes target Hezbollah infrastructure in the Beqaa Valley. Israeli forces have launched repeated attacks near Baalbek, which houses the massive Temple of Jupiter – one of the largest Roman temple complexes ever constructed and the adjacent Temple of Bacchus.
