Tyre, Lebanon's ancient city, bombarded by Israeli airstrikes
Israeli airstrikes are pounding ancient Tyre in southern Lebanon.
BEIRUT — Israeli warplanes pounded Lebanon’s historic port city of Tyre on Monday following evacuation orders in the Israeli military's second attack of the day on the southern city.
At least five airstrikes hit several buildings on Nabih Berri Street, a tourist hub home to several hotels and restaurants, according to local reports. A number of buildings collapsed amid thick plumes of smoke.
More raids were reported elsewhere in the district. No casualties have been reported so far.
هذا شارع سياحي، معظم أبنيته مطاعم أو مقاهي أو فنادق، روّاده في جميع المناطق اللّبنانيّة والدّول العربيّة والغربيّة، وأغلب ضبّاط وعناصر اليونيفيل يسكنون أو يسهرون هنا!
"إسرائيل" تنتقم منّا، من خيارنا، من قرارنا ومن موقفنا!#صور #جنوب_لبنان pic.twitter.com/6oMjhodmHf— حسن الدّر (@HasanDorr) October 28, 2024
The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said in a post on X Monday that the military had struck several “terrorist targets” belonging to Hezbollah in Tyre in the past few days, including Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons depots. He added that various Hezbollah military bodies, including the Aziz Unit responsible for launching attacks on Israel from Lebanon's southwest, have been struck.
Earlier on Monday, Adraee called on residents of a large area of Tyre to “immediately” leave their homes ahead of the strikes.
He told civilians to head north of the Awali River, nearly 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the southern border with Israel.
“Hezbollah's activities force the Israeli army to act against it forcefully,” Adraee warned. “Anyone who is near Hezbollah personnel, facilities and weapons of Hezbollah is putting their life in danger.”
Videos circulated online of Lebanon’s Civil Defense Forces urging residents to leave via loudspeakers.
Heartbreaking to see the damage from Israeli strikes on the beautiful seaside promenade in historical Tyre. A unique, diverse, vibrant, ancient city, home to Roman ruins, legendary birthplace of Europa and of Carthage's founder Dido/Elissa.. https://t.co/aJn2KVelVp
— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) October 28, 2024
Shortly after the strikes in Tyre, a barrage of rockets was fired from Lebanese territory toward northern Israel. Rocket sirens sounded in the northern city of Nahariya and nearby towns as well as in the Western Galilee.
Israel has intensified its strikes in Tyre and its environs since Sept. 23. Earlier on Monday, another strike hit a building in the city's Ramel neighborhood, killing at least seven people and wounding 17 others, according to the Health Ministry.
Tyre, a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to several archeological sites including many from Roman times, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Ruins are seen in Tyre, Lebanon, in this picture taken by Ekaterina Kvelidze on March 11, 2023.
The Israeli military expanded its strikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon Wednesday, striking deeper inside Lebanese territory and launching a limited ground invasion in the south. The escalation came nearly a year after cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah erupted Oct. 8, 2023.
Since then, nearly 1.2 million people have been displaced and more than 2,600 killed, according to data from the Lebanese health authorities.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah attacks inside Israel have killed more than 54 people, mostly soldiers, Israeli authorities say.
