On October 23rd, Israel launched airstrikes on the historic southern Lebanese city of Tyre, as reported by Reuters. This escalation occurred while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting the Middle East, where he urged Israel to implement a ceasefire with armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. However, the bombardment of Tyre indicates that the conflict remains unresolved.
According to reports, Israel issued a warning online, instructing residents to evacuate the city center. Approximately three hours later, the Israeli military commenced its attacks on this port city, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tyre, usually a thriving hub in southern Lebanon, has seen an unprecedented evacuation order covering a wide area. In recent weeks, tens of thousands have fled the city due to the escalating violence.
Blinken emphasized that Israel’s retaliatory actions should not lead to further escalation of the situation. During his visit, he held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before heading to Saudi Arabia. He reminded that it is time for Israel to translate military victories into lasting strategic gains, highlighting the need to secure the release of hostages, end the conflict, and establish a clear plan for the future.
AFP reported that Tyre was hit multiple times today, with footage showing thick black smoke rising from various locations, some within 500 meters of the city’s ancient ruins. Earlier, the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) had reported that an enemy drone targeted the streets of Tyre, mentioning that the city experienced four attacks following threats of bombardment.
Mortada Mhanna, head of the Tyre disaster management unit, described the situation as dire, stating, “We are evacuating the people.” Bilal Kashmar, an official from the unit’s media office, revealed to AFP that many were fleeing towards the suburbs, leaving only about 14,500 people in Tyre as of yesterday.
