Israeli air strikes hit Lebanese city Tyre, despite Iranian warning to stop attacks

Israel carried out a series of air strikes across southern Lebanon, with an artillery attack hitting a residential building near Tyre’s seafront. Eight people were killed in the city when Israeli forces issued a new evacuation order that for the first time covered the Christian quarter.

Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed at least eight deaths and 32 injuries in Tyre, but said figures were provisional as rescuers searched rubble. The strike was part of Israeli operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure.

For the first time, the evacuation order included the city’s Christian quarter, where Israeli troops alleged Hezbollah fighters operated recently. Roads heading north were crowded with residents fleeing, many carrying mattresses and bags on car roofs.

The city was also targeted earlier in the same week, with Israeli drones striking a pre‑dawn facility in Kfar Roummane and an Israeli army post north of the border killing two Syrian nationals in Ansariyeh and Aadloun.

The Israeli military, in a separate statement, noted an Israeli soldier was killed when a “terrorist” crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the Ramim Ridge area.

Hezbollah has responded with rockets and drones targeting Israeli sites and vehicles across the southern border. Iranian forces fired roughly 30 ballistic missiles after Israel struck a Beirut suburb.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was holding fire at the moment, but clarified that the struggle against Hezbollah and Iran was far from over, warning of an “overwhelming response.”

The conflict began in March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader by Israeli forces. This year’s escalation has resulted in over 1,300 civilian casualties in Lebanon and led to an ongoing siege of the country’s south.