Israel strikes Lebanon’s Tyre, close to site of ancient Roman ruins

**Interviewer:** Can you describe the recent situation in Tyre, Lebanon, following the Israeli airstrikes?

**Local Resident:** The airstrikes in Tyre have been devastating. Just hours after Israel expanded its evacuation orders to cover several central neighborhoods, they carried out at least four airstrikes on our historic city. Videos emerged showing huge plumes of black smoke rising from the seafront, alarmingly close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman ruins.

**Interviewer:** What impact did the airstrikes have on the community?

**Local Resident:** According to Lebanon’s state news agency, the strikes resulted in massive destruction to our homes and vital infrastructure, but thankfully there were no immediate reports of casualties. Tens of thousands had already evacuated in preparation for the strikes, and before they began, about 14,000 people were still in the city, including many who had been displaced from other areas.

**Interviewer:** How did you personally respond to the situation?

**Local Resident (Bilal Kashmar):** My family and I had to flee because of the evacuation order. We were sitting by the sea when we received the news that our home was destroyed. We hurried to grab the children and as much as we could carry. When we returned to check, our house had collapsed. “We will stay here and remain steadfast, even amidst the rubble.”

**Interviewer:** What were your thoughts during the bombing?

**Local Resident (Issam Awad):** Just like everyone else, we were caught off guard. One moment we were safe, and the next, the bombings started without warning. Fortunately, we are all okay. No one in my family was hurt by the explosions.

**Interviewer:** What’s the Israeli military’s justification for these strikes?

**Local Resident:** The Israeli military claims that their strikes are aimed at Hezbollah’s command-and-control centers and military capabilities, accusing the group of endangering Lebanese civilians by operating from residential and religious areas.

**Interviewer:** Could you share any specific incidents from the airstrikes?

**Local Journalist:** Yes, reports indicated that Israeli aircraft carried out multiple strikes not just in Tyre but across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Just last night, the suburbs of Beirut—where Hezbollah is heavily present—were also targeted.

**Interviewer:** What has been Hezbollah’s response to these attacks?

**Local Journalist:** As far as I know, Hezbollah has launched retaliatory rocket barrages into Israel. They also confirmed the loss of one of their key figures, Hashem Safieddine, who was expected to lead the group in the future, during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The escalations are part of a larger conflict that reignited after Hamas’s attack on Israel, leading to significant civilian casualties on both sides.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights during this incredibly challenging time.