Tyre, Oct 24: Israeli jets struck multiple buildings in Lebanon’s southern coastal city of Tyre on Wednesday, sending large clouds of black smoke into the air.The state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike on the nearby town of Maarakeh killed three people. There were no reports of casualties in Tyre, where the Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings prior to the strikes.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group meanwhile fired another barrage of rockets into Israel, including two that set off air raid 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 on his latest visit to the region to try to renew cease-fire talks.
The ancient city of Tyre, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Beirut, is known for its pristine beaches, ancient harbor and imposing Roman ruins and hippodrome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is among Lebanon’s largest cities and a vibrant metropolis popular with tourists.
The city’s history extends to the 5th century B C E. The buildings struck on Wednesday were between several heritage sites, including the hippodrome and a cluster of seaside sites associated with the ancient Phoenicians and the Crusaders.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings a few hours prior for dozens of buildings in the heart of the city. It told residents to move north of the Awali River, dozens of km (miles) to the north.