Key facts
- Israeli airstrikes have caused widespread damage to Tyre, Lebanon, a city with a 5,000-year history.
- The conflict has resulted in over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began.
Israeli airstrikes have devastated Tyre, Lebanon, leaving swathes of the ancient city in ruins and disrupting daily life. Despite a new ceasefire, residents live in fear, with heritage sites and hospitals damaged.
The conflict has devastated a historic Lebanese city, impacting its cultural heritage, environment, and the safety of its residents and healthcare workers, while ongoing geopolitical tensions and negotiations create an uncertain future for the region.
The ancient coastal city of Tyre in Lebanon has been significantly impacted by weeks of Israeli airstrikes, leaving much of it in ruins and disrupting daily life. Despite a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, residents live with lingering uncertainty and fear, as previous ceasefires have failed.
Life in Tyre, usually bustling with tourists and activity, has come to a standstill. Restaurants are empty, and parking lots are filled with displaced people. Fishermen are afraid to sail far from port, fearing they will be targeted. Over 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began in March.
Ancient heritage sites in Tyre have not been spared. Buildings near a 2nd-century citadel and a Roman road have been damaged, with debris knocking crowns off Roman columns. Employees at the Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities hope the damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site can be repaired.
South of the city, a shoreline wildlife preserve for sea turtles has become inaccessible due to strikes. Mona Khalil, an environmentalist who lived there, died from wounds sustained when her home was hit.
Hospitals are also struggling to cope. One of Tyre's largest hospitals is repairing units destroyed by a nearby strike. Healthcare workers report feeling more vulnerable than in past conflicts, as strikes have occurred unexpectedly close to medical facilities.
Prospects for long-term stability remain unclear as negotiations between Israel and Lebanon continue, with Hezbollah not involved and resisting disarmament efforts. Large swaths of land south of Tyre are under Israeli control, and smoke from distant artillery fire is sometimes visible from the city's shoreline.