Israeli air strikes hit Lebanese city of Tyre despite Iranian warning to stop attacks

Israeli air strikes hit Lebanese city of Tyre despite Iranian warning to stop attacks 34 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google David Gritten Reuters Plumes of smoke billowed over the coastal city of Tyre following Israeli air strikes Israel has carried out strikes across southern Lebanon, despite a warning from Iran not to continue attacks in the country. The Lebanese health ministry said eight people were killed in Tyre, where the Israeli military issued a new order for residents to leave the southern city, including its Christian quarter for the first time. Israel and Iran paused hostilities on Monday, after an Israeli strike on Beirut targeting the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah triggered their first exchange of fire since a truce in April. Iran warned that it could hit Israel again if it did not stop attacks in Lebanon. But Israel vowed to continue its campaign against Hezbollah. The conflict is complicating President Donald Trump's efforts to strike a deal to end the war between the US, Israel and Iran. Israel and Iran flare-up could strengthen Tehran's negotiating hand Iran and Israel say they will pause strikes but warn of retaliation if ceasefire breached again Lebanese media reported that Israeli air and artillery strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people on Tuesday. Two people were killed in a pre-dawn drone attack in Kfar Roummane, next to the major town of Nabatieh, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). Later, the Israeli military again told residents of Tyre and its surrounding area to leave their homes immediately and move beyond the Zahrani river, about 30km (20 miles) to the north. But for the first time, the evacuation order included the Christian quarter, in the city's north-west, where the military alleged that Hezbollah fighters were operating last week. Many residents of the Christian quarter and other areas of Tyre fled in response to the warning, causing heavy traffic on the main roads heading north. The Israeli military posted its order on social media minutes after reports emerged of air strikes on several buildings in Tyre's eastern al-Massaken al-Shaabiya area. The Lebanese health ministry said at least eight people were killed and 32 were injured, but added that the figures were provisional because rescuers were still searching through rubble. Another five people were reportedly injured in a later strike in the central al-Raml area. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. However, its evacuation order said Israeli forces had been "compelled to act forcefully" in Tyre because of Hezbollah's violations of a ceasefire agreement and the group's attacks on northern Israel. The military also said in a separate statement that troops operating in the Ramim Ridge area of northern Israel's Galiliee region had shot dead a "terrorist" who crossed the border from Lebanon and opened fire towards them. Hezbollah said on Tuesday that its fighters had launched rockets