Israel orders evacuation of Tyre as ceasefire violations escalate conflict

The Israeli military has issued an evacuation order for the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, intensifying its campaign against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. In a statement to residents, the military declared it was compelled to act forcefully, citing alleged violations of the US-brokered ceasefire by Hezbollah. This directive coincides with a renewed wave of air strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon.

Concurrent strikes in the town of Choukine, located in the eastern Bekaa Valley, resulted in three fatalities, according to Lebanese media reports. Hezbollah has accused Israel of breaching the truce agreement and confirmed ongoing engagements with Israeli troops north of the Litani river, approximately 30 kilometres from the border.

The escalation follows an announcement by Israel’s prime minister regarding the expansion of ground operations. This decision was prompted by drone attacks targeting Israeli troops occupying parts of southern Lebanon and civilians in northern Israel. The prime minister stated via Telegram that operations had moved beyond the designated “Yellow Line” with the objective to crush Hezbollah’s capabilities.

The violence poses a significant risk to ongoing peace talks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which are scheduled to commence in early June. Iran has insisted that any diplomatic settlement must encompass Lebanon, while Israel maintains its right to continue fighting the threat posed by the armed group.

Lebanon was drawn into the wider conflict on 2 March after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with an air campaign and ground invasion. Although a ceasefire began on 16 April and has been extended twice, both sides continue to exchange fire. The health ministry reports at least 3,213 deaths in Lebanon since the start of the war, while Israel reports 23 soldiers and four civilians killed.