Israeli forces carried out a series of air strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including attacks on the coastal city of Tyre, despite Iran’s warning that further Israeli operations in Lebanon could trigger renewed retaliation.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed and 32 others injured in strikes on Tyre, with rescue teams continuing to search through the rubble for additional victims. The casualty figures remain provisional as emergency operations continue.
The strikes came shortly after the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order covering large sections of Tyre and its surrounding areas. For the first time since the conflict began, the order included the city’s predominantly Christian quarter, where Israel alleged Hezbollah fighters had recently been operating.
Residents rushed to leave the city following the warning, creating heavy traffic on roads leading north toward Sidon and Beirut. Many families fled with their belongings tied to vehicles as fears of further bombardment spread throughout the area.
Among those evacuating was Elias Barbour, who told reporters he was heading to stay with relatives in Beirut and questioned why civilians were being forced from their homes. Another resident, Mohammed Mustafa, rejected Israeli claims that Hezbollah fighters were operating in the area and accused Israel of using the allegations to frighten civilians.
The Israeli strikes were part of a broader military campaign across southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported that at least 13 people were killed in air and artillery attacks throughout the region on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, two people were reportedly killed in a drone strike near the town of Nabatieh, while two Syrian nationals later died in separate attacks on villages along the coastal highway north of Tyre.
Israel’s military has not provided detailed comments on the Tyre operation, but Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israeli forces remain active across southern Lebanon and are continuing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.
The Israeli military also reported that troops along the northern border shot and killed a man described as a terrorist after he crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory and opened fire on soldiers.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple attacks against Israeli forces, including rocket launches targeting a military position in Maroun al-Ras and drone strikes against Israeli troops and military vehicles in other border areas.
The latest escalation comes despite a temporary pause in direct hostilities between Israel and Iran. The two countries halted attacks on each other Monday after exchanging fire over the weekend, marking their first direct confrontation since an April ceasefire.
Iran had warned Israel against continuing military operations in Lebanon, threatening further action if attacks persisted. On Monday, Iranian military officials stated that operations against Israel had ceased after delivering what they described as a “painful response,” while also warning that stronger retaliation would follow any renewed Israeli aggression.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying Israel was holding fire against Iran “at the moment” but emphasized that the campaign against both Iran and Hezbollah was far from over. He vowed that any future Iranian attack would be met with overwhelming force.
The ongoing violence continues to complicate efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to secure a broader agreement aimed at ending the conflict involving the United States, Israel, Iran, and regional proxy groups.
Lebanon has been deeply affected by the war since Hezbollah entered the conflict in March following an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. According to Lebanese authorities, at least 3,666 people have been killed in Lebanon since the fighting intensified, while nearly one million residents remain displaced from their homes.
Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States between Israel and Lebanon in April, clashes have continued, raising concerns that the conflict could once again expand into a wider regional war.