BEIRUT — Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Tuesday, killing at least eight people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The strikes hit a residential area in the historic port city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the ministry said. Minutes after the attack, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for residents of Tyre, including its Christian quarter for the first time, Lebanese officials and media reported.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that at least 32 people were also injured in the strikes, with figures described as provisional as rescue efforts continued. The National News Agency said rescuers were searching through rubble in the affected areas.
The Israeli military has not immediately provided detailed comments on the specific strike in Tyre. Israeli officials have previously stated that operations target Hezbollah infrastructure and positions in southern Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of a fragile regional situation. Iran had recently warned Israel to halt attacks on Lebanon, according to reports. President Donald Trump has also called for de-escalation among parties involved in the broader conflict.
Tyre, located near the border with Israel, has seen increased activity as part of the wider exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah. The city has a significant civilian population and hosts refugee camps. Authorities urged remaining residents to avoid public gatherings following the strikes.
"The strikes damaged parts of the historic areas," a local official told Reuters, as cited in multiple reports.
Lebanese officials condemned the attack and called for international intervention to prevent further escalation. Hezbollah has not issued an immediate detailed response to the specific incident in Tyre, though the group has vowed to respond to Israeli actions in the past.
The strikes add to casualties reported in southern Lebanon in recent days. Full details on the targets and the exact circumstances remained under investigation by both sides, officials said.
As of Wednesday, thousands of residents had begun evacuating Tyre following the military's warning, with traffic reported along coastal routes leading north. Humanitarian organizations expressed concern over the impact on civilians and medical services in the area. Rescue and recovery operations were ongoing, with casualty figures subject to update as more information becomes available.
