Tyre heritage sites

Beirut (dpa) — Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemned ongoing Israeli strikes on the southern city of Tyre on Thursday, warning that attacks were threatening historic neighbourhoods, religious sites and cultural landmarks in one of the region’s oldest cities.
In a statement, the ministry said Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji was following developments “with deep pain and profound concern” amid continued bombardment and Israeli evacuation warnings issued for parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Rajji was also carrying out intensive diplomatic contacts to push for an immediate halt to the attacks, the ministry said, describing Tyre’s archaeological and cultural heritage as part of the “shared human conscience.”

Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Lebanon, is home to some of the country’s most important Phoenician and Roman ruins.
The escalation followed new Israeli military warnings urging residents in parts of Tyre and southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of possible strikes after projectiles were reportedly launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel.

Tyre heritage sites

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced concern over the growing violence, warning that continued exchanges of fire could further destabilize southern Lebanon and place civilians at risk.

“Peacekeepers remain on the ground, monitoring and reporting to the Security Council. Wednesday saw around 670 projectiles fired — the highest level since April 17,” UNIFIL said in a statement, adding that 640 came from the Israeli side.

Residents and local media reported airstrikes and artillery shelling around Tyre and nearby towns, raising fears of damage to centuries-old archaeological sites and civilian areas.

The latest tensions further strained a fragile ceasefire brokered by Washington that took effect on April 17. Fighting has intensified in recent days, with Israeli forces reportedly crossing the Litani River and expanding operations in southern Lebanon.
Earlier on Thursday, an Israeli strike targeted an area on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs. Israeli media reports said the attack targeted Ali al-Husseini, described as the head of the missile unit of the Iran-linked Imam Hussein Brigade affiliated with Hezbollah, although there was no immediate confirmation regarding his fate.