TIRO, Lebanon (AP) — Israeli planes bombed several buildings in the coastal city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, on Wednesday, causing large black smoke clouds. Israel’s military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, wrote on the social network X that there were Hezbollah assets in the area, without going into details or presenting evidence.
The National News Agency, a state media outlet, reported three deaths in an Israeli attack in the nearby town of Maarakeh. No casualties were reported in Tyre, where the Israeli army had issued evacuation warnings before the bombings.
Hezbollah, for its part, launched another round of rockets at Israel, two of which triggered the anti-aircraft sirens in Tel Aviv before being intercepted. A cloud of smoke could be seen in the sky from the hotel where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was staying during a new visit to the region to try to reactivate ceasefire talks.
Attacks intensify in southern Beirut
Tiro, a provincial capital, had largely escaped the war between Israel and Hezbollah, although attacks around the city had intensified recently.
The ancient city of Tyre, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Beirut, is known for its pristine beaches, its ancient port, and the impressive Roman ruins, which include a hippodrome considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest cities in Lebanon and a thriving and popular community among tourists.
The buildings attacked on Wednesday were among ancient sites such as the Hippodrome and a series of coastal remains associated with the ancient Phoenicians and the Crusaders.
The Israeli army issued evacuation notices a few hours before for dozens of buildings in the heart of the city. It told residents to move to the north of the Awali River, dozens of kilometers (miles) to the north.
The city is located in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a strong presence, and its lawmakers are part of the militia's allied group. But in Tyre, there are also civilians unrelated to Hezbollah, including a significant Christian community.
The director of the disaster management unit of Tyre, Mortada Mhanna, told the AP that, although many residents fled, thousands of residents and people who had been displaced from other areas decided to stay in the city. Many people, including hundreds of families, had previously fled from villages in southern Lebanon, seeking protection in Tyre shelters.
It is estimated that around 15,000 people remain in the city, compared to a population of around 100,000 before the war.