The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday issued a large-scale evacuation order for the coastal ancient city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, marking the first time the Israeli military has expanded evacuation warnings into the city’s well-known Christian district.
IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on the social media platform X:
“In light of the terrorist Hezbollah party breaching the ceasefire agreement, the Defense Army is compelled to act against it forcefully. The Defense Army does not intend to harm you.”
He stated that Hezbollah operatives have recently been highly active in Tyre’s Christian district, and that any building used for military purposes could become a target. The IDF ordered residents to evacuate immediately to areas north of the Zahrani River, about 20 miles north of Tyre, and warned civilians not to move south.
Tyre is one of Lebanon’s oldest cities, with a Christian community that has existed for nearly 2,000 years. In previous rounds of conflict, this area had not been included in evacuation zones and was rarely targeted in airstrikes.
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Shortly after the evacuation order was issued, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli airstrikes hit Tyre again. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said the strikes killed eight people.
The airstrikes come amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. In March, after Hezbollah launched a new wave of missiles into northern Israel, the Israeli military expanded its operations inside Lebanon. Israel argues that military strikes against Hezbollah should be handled separately from any ceasefire or peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Iran, however, insists that any peace agreement with the United States must include Lebanon in the negotiations. Tehran views ending the fighting in Lebanon as a key condition for a broader regional settlement.
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran remain sharply divided over security in the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions on Iran, and Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. demands that Iran abandon any effort to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran demands the lifting of international sanctions, the unfreezing of overseas assets, and recognition of its interests in the Strait of Hormuz.
