Israel has launched a series of air strikes on the historic port city of Tyre in Lebanon, following the expansion of its evacuation orders to include several central neighborhoods. Reports indicate that these strikes occurred just hours after the Israeli military warned civilians to evacuate, stating it would take “forceful” action against Hezbollah, an armed group active in the region.
Footage from the scene shows large plumes of black smoke rising near a UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes ancient Roman ruins. As of now, there were no immediate reports of casualties, but tens of thousands of residents have already fled Tyre in recent weeks due to Israel’s intensified air and ground operations.
Before the air strikes commenced, disaster management officials estimated that around 14,000 people remained in the city, including individuals displaced from other areas in the south. Local sources reported a significant evacuation effort, with many residents seeking refuge in the suburbs.
Additionally, it has been reported that Israeli aircraft targeted several locations in southern Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah maintains a considerable presence. The Israeli military confirmed that its strikes were focused on weapons storage and manufacturing facilities, as well as command centers linked to Hezbollah operations.
In recent days, Israeli forces claim to have eliminated key Hezbollah commanders and reportedly killed about 70 fighters while dismantling the group’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not yet commented on these claims but responded with rocket fire into Israel, targeting locations including military intelligence bases.
In one incident, rocket alert sirens were activated in central Tel Aviv, prompting security measures for U.S. officials visiting the area. Another barrage struck industrial sites in northern Israel, causing damage but no reported injuries.
This military escalation follows nearly a year of cross-border tensions intensified by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as Israel seeks to secure the return of residents displaced by ongoing rocket fire. Since the onset of these tensions, over 2,500 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Lebanon, while Israeli authorities have confirmed 59 fatalities in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.
