(TheConservativeTimes.org) – UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has named an area of the Gaza Strip, the Saint Hilario’s Monastery, as part of its “World Heritage In Danger” and “World Heritage” lists.
The decision was made during the World Heritage Committee’s session in New Delhi, India. This decision reflects the value of the area and the need for protection as well. The area was put on the list by using emergency procedures that were set forth in the World Heritage Convention.
“The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which could pose a threat to this archaeological site, is a situation in which this procedure is possible,” a UNESCO spokesperson said.
As a result of this change, UNESCO’s almost two hundred “State Parties” must avoid, directly or indirectly, damaging the area, and they must assist in protecting it.
Although Israel is no longer a member of UNESCO, it is still a State Party, which means that it is bound by the terms to protect and not damage the area.
A UNESCO spokesperson said that putting locations simultaneously on the “In Danger” and “World Heritage” lists is common, and a recent example of this was the port city of Odesa, one of Ukraine’s historic centers.
There are over one thousand sites on the World heritage List, but just over fifty of them are “In Danger.” For those that are considered in danger, they also can receive technical and financial assistance for protection or restoration work.
The recent session of the World Heritage Committee ended with twenty-six newly added sites to their World Heritage List.
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