TYRE, Lebanon — On Wednesday, Israeli aircraft conducted strikes on several structures in the southern coastal city of Tyre, resulting in large plumes of black smoke rising into the sky.
Reports from Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency indicated that one of the Israeli attacks, aimed at the nearby town of Maarakeh, resulted in the deaths of three individuals; meanwhile, no casualties were reported within Tyre itself. Prior to the bombings, the Israeli military had issued evacuation alerts for the area.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched additional rocket attacks into Israeli territory, including two projectiles that triggered air raid warnings in Tel Aviv, although those rockets were intercepted mid-flight. Witnesses from a hotel where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was staying during his regional visit noted a cloud of smoke visible in the sky, which underscored the ongoing hostilities as Blinken sought to revive ceasefire negotiations.
Hezbollah’s rocket launches, alongside missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, have been ongoing since the onset of conflict following Hamas’ attack from Gaza on October 7, 2023. This escalation led to extensive exchanges of fire, particularly after the Israeli military conducted airstrikes that claimed the lives of Hezbollah’s prominent leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and many of his senior officials last month. Furthermore, Israeli ground forces mounted an invasion into southern Lebanon in early October.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported that one of its recent airstrikes had killed Hashem Safieddine, a high-ranking Hezbollah figure and cleric viewed as a potential successor to Nasrallah.
Although Tyre had, until recently, been largely unaffected by the escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the intensity of strikes in and around the city has increased in recent days. Positioned about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Beirut, Tyre is renowned for its beautiful beaches, historic harbor, and significant Roman ruins, including a hippodrome that is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands as one of Lebanon’s largest and most vibrant cities, often frequented by tourists.
The historical background of Tyre dates back to the 5th century B.C.E., and the locations struck on Wednesday were situated amid several cultural heritage sites, including the hippodrome and remnants linked to the ancient Phoenicians and Crusaders.
Just hours before the strikes, the Israeli military had advised residents of various buildings in the city to evacuate, instructing them to relocate north of the Awali River, which is situated several kilometers away.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee addressed the evacuation orders via the social media platform X, citing the presence of Hezbollah assets in the evacuation zone, though he did not provide specific details or evidence to support his claims.
Tyre is situated in a region of southern Lebanon where the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah wields considerable influence, and many local legislators are either affiliated with the group or its allies. However, the city also accommodates civilians, including a significant number from the Christian community, who do not have any ties to Hezbollah.
Rescue teams from Lebanon’s Civil Defense utilized loudspeakers to warn residents to evacuate and assisted those who required help leaving, particularly the elderly.
According to the head of the Civil Defense, Ali Safieddine, there were no reported injuries following the seven strikes that led to the collapse of several buildings.
Since the fighting erupted late last year, Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported that over 2,500 individuals have died, without differentiating between civilian casualties and combatants. The conflict has forced more than a million people to abandon their homes as of September.
On the Israeli side, approximately 60 people, including around half who were soldiers, have been killed due to ongoing attacks. Almost daily barrages of rockets have caused substantial evacuations in northern Israel, displacing around 60,000 residents. Hezbollah has recently broadened its operational range, launching numerous rockets each day and regularly aiming at the northern city of Haifa; although the majority are intercepted or land in uninhabited areas.
