Dozens of heritage sites in Lebanon were granted “provisional enhanced protection” by UNESCO on Monday, offering a higher level of legal shielding as fighting continues between Israel and Lebanon.

The 34 cultural properties affected “now benefit from the highest level of immunity against attack and use for military purposes”, the United Nations cultural body said in a statement.

Several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on Baalbek in the east and Tyre in the south hit close to ancient Roman ruins designated as World Heritage sites.

UNESCO said the decision “helps send a signal to the entire international community of the urgent need to protect these sites”.

“Non-compliance with these clauses would constitute ‘serious violations’ of the 1954 Hague Convention and… potential grounds for prosecution,” it added.

UNESCO’s move followed an appeal by hundreds of cultural professionals, including archaeologists and academics, to activate the enhanced protection.

THE SITES ARE:

Adloun archeological site, Afqa archeological site, Ain Herche temple, Anjar archeological site, Baalbek archeological sites, Beiteddine Palace, Byblos, Chama’ Citadel, Sidon’s Dakerman site, Dubieh Castle, Hbarieh Temple, Niha Fort Temple, Jeb Jennine Roman Bridge, Jiyye archeological site, Kayfoun fort, Kharayeb archeological site, Majdal Anjar temple, Nahle temple, Nahr el Kalb archeological site, Umm Al Amad archeological site, Qalaat Choukeif, Qalaat Deir Kifa, Qalaat Tibnine, Qasarnaba temple, Rachid Karami Forum, Ras el Ain basins, Sarafand archeological site, Sidon’s archeological sites, Ain el Jowb monument, Tal el Burak archeological site, Eshmun sanctuary, Tyre archeological site, Beirut’s National Museum, and Sursock Museum.