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Silence descends on historic Lebanese city
Tyre, a coastal city in southern Lebanon and one of the world's oldest, has grown eerily quiet as Israeli forces urge civilians to flee amid intensifying clashes with Hezbollah. The city, located 19 kilometers from the Israeli border, now bears the scars of repeated airstrikes, with shuttered businesses and abandoned homes dotting its streets.
Civilians caught in the crossfire
Despite evacuation orders, many residents remain, either unable to leave or refusing to abandon their homes. Neyfe Adib, 65, walked through the deserted streets, clutching groceries near a collapsed apartment building. She explained her family's financial struggles and the difficulty of relocating her elderly parents and disabled husband to a shelter.
"I have to stay here-it's either we die or we live."
Neyfe Adib, Tyre resident
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Shelters and food kitchens in Lebanon are overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people, with aid groups warning of a worsening crisis. Israel's military reiterated evacuation orders on Tuesday, directing civilians to move north of the Zahrani River, approximately 40 kilometers from the border. A spokesperson warned that anyone near Hezbollah positions risked their lives.
An estimated one million people have been displaced in Lebanon since hostilities resumed two weeks ago. Lebanese authorities report at least 912 deaths, including over 100 children, from Israeli strikes. The Israeli military has confirmed the loss of two soldiers in southern Lebanon.
Conflict reignites regional tensions
Lebanon was drawn into the broader conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran after Hezbollah launched retaliatory rocket and drone attacks following the assassination of Iran's supreme leader and repeated Israeli strikes. The attacks ended a 2024 ceasefire, prompting Israel to launch a new offensive aimed at disarming Hezbollah.
Israel has initiated "limited and targeted ground operations" in southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah strongholds to bolster defenses along its border. Concerns persist that these actions could lead to a prolonged Israeli occupation of the region.
Defiance and resilience in Tyre
Khaled Othman, a 63-year-old baker, stood near his damaged shop, reflecting on decades of conflict. Despite sending his family to Beirut for safety, he refused to leave Tyre, even during the last Israel-Hezbollah war, which lasted over a year.
"From 1978 to now, I've never left. I'll never leave."
Khaled Othman, local baker
Othman described briefly fleeing his home after Israeli warnings but returning to find his bakery intact, though pockmarked by shrapnel. With most customers gone, he struggles to earn a living, accusing Israel of targeting civilians alongside Hezbollah infrastructure.
"If they want to have a war with Hezbollah, have a war with Hezbollah... What do we have to do with this?"
Khaled Othman
Hezbollah's grip on southern Lebanon
Hezbollah maintains strong support in southern Lebanon, a predominantly Shia Muslim region. Othman, who insisted he has no political affiliations, argued that Israel's military campaign would not weaken this loyalty.
In Tyre, Hezbollah's presence was palpable. The BBC required the group's permission to report in the city, and its operatives accompanied journalists, though they did not control the output. Among the recent targets was a branch of al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution, now reduced to rubble.
Daily life amid destruction
George Zevali, a water delivery driver, uncovered his truck to ensure Israeli forces could see its contents. Like Othman, he sent his family north for safety but stayed to work, saving money to support them.
"There are no businesses here anymore. Only water, bread, vegetables-only [businesses] like this."
George Zevali, water delivery driver
Others have sought refuge in Tyre from areas closer to the border. A local theater now shelters around 35 displaced people, who sleep in the projector room and auditorium. Fatima Hakim, who fled her home after strikes, vowed to remain in Tyre despite the dangers.
"Lebanon is our country, and this city is our city. No matter what they do, I'm going to stay in my home, in my area, in my country with my loved ones and friends. I prefer to die here than to die humiliated somewhere else."
Fatima Hakim, displaced resident
Uncertain future
Basma Sadek, 56, walked with her children past a recent strike site, expressing a cautious sense of security in Tyre compared to the last war. While acknowledging Israel's advance warnings, she and others remain resolute.
"We are staying, steadfast."
Basma Sadek, Tyre resident
