In an escalatory move, Israeli forces detonated the Prophet Simeon shrine and destroyed several historical and residential sites in the town of Shamaa, South Lebanon, on Friday.
This act came after the army’s failed incursion into the area, sparking widespread condemnation from cultural and religious organizations.
The attacks, described as an attempt to compensate for military setbacks by inflicting extensive damage, also targeted a historic castle and multiple homes, leaving a trail of destruction.
Local sources reported that Israeli airstrikes on the same day hit several villages and towns across South Lebanon, including Arnoun, Jibshit, Tyre, and Naqoura, causing significant damage to infrastructure and civilian properties.
Cultural and religious groups criticized the systematic targeting of heritage sites, urging the international community to act against what they labeled as war crimes. They emphasized that such actions violate international laws prohibiting attacks on religious and historical landmarks.
As civilian suffering grows amid destroyed homes and infrastructure, the attacks are seen as an assault not only on physical structures but also on the cultural identity and history of the region.
