Israel bombs Tire after declaring large part of southern Lebanon a 'combat zone'

The Israeli army announced Thursday that it had struck the city of Tyre, in southern Lebanon, a day after warning that it considered all Lebanese territory south of the Zahrani River, about forty kilometers from the border, to be a "combat zone".

After ordering residents of several neighborhoods in Tire to evacuate in anticipation of an upcoming "use of force", the Israeli army confirmed that it had "begun to strike Hezbollah infrastructure in the Tire region".

The Lebanese National News Agency (NIA) reported two series of strikes Thursday morning on the city and an area east of it, hitting a building and causing a fire in Tyre.

The Israeli army also announced Thursday morning that it had intercepted a “suspicious air target” heading towards its forces in southern Lebanon.

In recent days, Israel has intensified its land and air operations in the east and south of the neighboring country, where the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah has reported "direct" fighting, despite the ceasefire theoretically in force since April 17, but which both parties accuse each other of violating.

While many Lebanese are trying to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the great Muslim holiday, the Israeli army has called on all residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate to the northern bank of the Zahrani.

This escalation comes just before a military meeting between the two countries scheduled for Friday at the Pentagon, and in the run-up to new negotiating sessions under American sponsorship on June 2 and 3.

- “Direct confrontations” -

Fighters "engaged in direct clashes with enemy forces" on Wednesday in Zawtar el-Sharqiyé, Hezbollah announced for its part, also reporting three drone attacks against troops in northern Israel.

Since Tuesday, he has claimed responsibility for shooting and drone attacks against Israeli forces trying to infiltrate this town, strategic for its proximity to Nabatiyé.

Zawtar el-Charqiyé is located on the edge of the "yellow line" delimiting the strip of around ten kilometers over which the Israeli army has taken control in southern Lebanon, prohibiting access to residents and carrying out large demolition operations.

The Israeli army declared on Tuesday that it was extending its ground operations beyond the “yellow line”.

- "Extend the authority of the State" -

Lebanon was drawn into the war in the Middle East when Hezbollah reopened a front against Israel on March 2, in support of Iran after the Israeli-American attack on February 28.

Israeli strikes have killed 3,269 people since then, according to a new report Wednesday from the Ministry of Health.

Among them, at least 31 were killed on Tuesday, including at least 15 residents of Burj al-Shemali, near Tyre, according to the mayor of this locality. A