On June 9, the Israeli military ordered the complete evacuation of the city of Tyre, including its Christian district which had served as a shelter for displaced people, before carrying out deadly airstrikes. This marked the first time Israel has demanded a full evacuation of Tyre, which had already endured multiple attacks in recent days.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, five people were killed in Monday's strikes on Tyre, along with at least nine others in separate areas across Lebanon. The attacks also wounded four medical workers.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on June 8 that he was in the 'final stages of a very, very good deal' with Iran. He said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened 'immediately upon signing,' expected within two or three days. Trump also claimed the U.S. naval blockade of Iran has been far more effective than bombing in pushing Tehran to seek an agreement.
The escalation follows Israel's shelling of Beirut on Sunday, June 7, which prompted Iran to fire missiles into northern Israel. Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asked him not to retaliate, but Israel launched strikes on Iran early Monday, targeting an air defense system and a petrochemical plant. In response, Iran struck a similar facility in Haifa and targeted two Israeli airbases.
In an interview with Axios, Trump warned: 'You had better be careful, otherwise you will soon have to face it alone.' Netanyahu countered on television that Israel has a full right to self-defense and will exercise it when necessary.
Though both Iran and Israel declared a pause in attacks on each other on Monday, Israel said it would continue targeting southern Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz said his country's forces would keep fighting Hezbollah and would strike southern Beirut suburbs if any attack hit northern Israel. Hezbollah said it has carried out operations against invading Israeli forces, including near Beaufort Castle.
Iran stressed that any deal with the U.S. must include an end to fighting in Lebanon. Tehran warned that aggression would face 'severe and crushing measures.' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of 'direct responsibility' for the escalation, saying the U.S. is a party in ceasefire negotiations. President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that Tehran is still 'sitting at the negotiating table.'
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, the total death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 3,666, with 11,321 wounded. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Israel has carried out nearly 3,500 airstrikes, 407 demolitions, and six 'leveling' operations that razed entire villages since April 16, when a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was agreed.
