//Once a refuge, southern Lebanese city of Tyre empties as airstrikes rain down//

Tyre, once a sanctuary for those fleeing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, now faces its own crisis as relentless Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders have turned this once vibrant city into a near ghost town. As the city’s streets empty, critics argue that Israel’s evacuation strategy is designed to induce mass displacement rather than prioritize civilian safety. Tyre’s transformation from a safe haven to a deserted landscape reflects the stark realities faced by civilians caught in the crossfire of escalating conflict.

Israeli airstrikes have pummeled southern Lebanon, with Tyre being one of the hardest-hit areas. As part of Israel’s broader strategy, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have issued evacuation orders to Tyre and over 70 surrounding villages, displacing more than 1.2 million people since late September. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have condemned these actions, suggesting that the evacuation orders are neither adequate nor truly aimed at protecting civilians. Instead, they argue, these forced evacuations may serve a strategic purpose, deepening fears that the intent is to displace Lebanese communities from their homes.

This article examines the impacts of the current crisis on Tyre’s residents, the human rights concerns surrounding the evacuation orders, and the broader implications for Lebanon’s future amid this ongoing conflict.

The Prince of Doom: Israel’s Evacuation Orders via Social Media//

In the dead of night, Tyre’s residents brace themselves for a now-familiar sound—the buzzing of mobile phones, alerting them to messages from Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson. Known informally as the “Prince of Doom,” Adraee’s late-night posts on social media are delivered with a chilling message: leave or face destruction. In an unsettlingly fluent Arabic, Adraee orders residents to evacuate areas that Israel claims are linked to Hezbollah infrastructure, positioning the directive as a means of civilian protection.

However, the manner in which these orders are communicated has been met with severe criticism. In some cases, Israel issues these alerts with only minutes to spare before airstrikes begin. Amnesty International has voiced concerns, arguing that these warnings are inadequate and fail to give residents sufficient time to evacuate, especially given the logistical challenges of fleeing a war zone in the middle of the night. The international organization has also questioned Israel’s intent, suggesting that the widespread evacuation orders seem designed to provoke mass displacement rather than to protect civilians.

The Devastation of Tyre: Scenes of Destruction and Despair//

On the morning following one of Adraee’s evacuation messages, Tyre was hit by a series of Israeli airstrikes. The targeted areas included major residential zones, leaving a once-bustling community in ruins. Streets were littered with rubble, shattered glass, and personal belongings—a stark reminder of the lives interrupted by the conflict. What were once 12-story buildings were now reduced to heaps of twisted metal and concrete, with scattered remnants of everyday life: children’s toys, textbooks, and clothes.

Civilians like Elias Mabhoor, a resident of Tyre, were among those who returned to survey the damage. Mabhoor, whose friend had moved abroad, filmed a video message to show his friend the devastating loss of his family’s home. Other residents, like Hassan Shur, risked their safety to retrieve belongings left behind. Shur, who had kept several pet birds in his home, hurriedly loaded their cages onto his motorbike, hoping to escape before another round of airstrikes began.

Even as people attempted to salvage what little they could, a new threat loomed overhead. An Israeli drone sent a warning shot, signaling that another airstrike was imminent. The civil defense teams on the ground urgently warned residents to leave, as the airstrikes had already taken a significant toll. In the evacuated sections of Tyre, the silence was punctuated by explosions and the occasional sound of outgoing Hezbollah rockets aimed at Israeli targets, a grim reminder of the tit-for-tat violence that has ravaged southern Lebanon.

A Refuge No More: Tyre’s Role in Previous Conflicts and Current Vulnerability//

Historically, Tyre has served as a refuge for people displaced by conflict, particularly during previous clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. In 2006, during a major conflict between the two, Tyre housed internally displaced persons, humanitarian workers, and journalists, acting as a critical hub for those seeking safety. Its role as a sanctuary during past conflicts gave Tyre a unique standing in the region as a place where civilians and aid workers could find relative security.

Now, however, that security is gone. Israel’s evacuation orders and the subsequent airstrikes have stripped Tyre of its status as a safe zone, leaving residents and aid workers alike to seek refuge elsewhere. As people flee the city, humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide support to the displaced. Access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies has become increasingly limited, compounding the suffering of those who remain.

Israel’s Justification and the Question of Civilian Safety//

Israel has framed its evacuation orders as an effort to minimize civilian casualties, stating that it provides these warnings to give people a chance to escape targeted zones. The IDF claims to be one of the few militaries globally that takes such measures to protect civilians. However, this narrative is contradicted by reports of strikes on areas with no prior warnings and attacks on non-military targets, including homes, schools, and hospitals.

One recent incident highlights this discrepancy: a strike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, which claimed 18 lives and injured 60 others, occurred without any advance warning. Critics argue that such incidents undermine Israel’s claims of prioritizing civilian safety, calling into question whether the evacuation orders serve any purpose beyond strategic displacement. 

Nadim Houry, executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative, argues that Israel’s approach to international law has distorted its principles. “Evacuation orders are supposed to be for legitimate targets,” Houry explains. “But it’s unclear if these even qualify as legitimate targets. Israel has taken the principles of international law and turned them on their heads.”

The Resilience of Tyre’s Residents: Staying Despite the Dangers//

Despite the evacuation orders and the persistent threat of airstrikes, some residents of Tyre have chosen to stay. Among them is Hassan Dbouk, the head of the Union of Tyre Municipalities. Dbouk remains in the city, overseeing the distribution of aid to those who have stayed behind. Despite multiple calls from Israeli officers urging him to leave, he has continued his work, refusing to abandon his city in its time of need.

Dbouk has shared his thoughts on Israel’s actions, referencing a story from both the Qur’an and the Torah. He tells the story of King Solomon, who, while leading his army, came across a valley filled with ants. Upon hearing the ants warn each other to flee to avoid being crushed, Solomon ordered his army to stop, allowing the ants to reach safety. “Solomon heard the ants and showed mercy. Why doesn’t Israel do the same?” Dbouk asks, challenging the rationale behind Israel’s relentless attacks on populated areas.

The choice to stay is not an easy one for those left in Tyre. The constant bombardment, the lack of basic amenities, and the fear of further escalation make each day a test of resilience and survival. However, for residents like Dbouk, staying is an act of resistance—a refusal to surrender to the forces attempting to displace them from their homes.

The Broader Implications: Forced Displacement as a Military Strategy//

The situation in Tyre raises larger ethical and legal questions about the use of forced displacement as a strategy of war. Human rights organizations have criticized the practice, arguing that it amounts to a form of psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing civilian populations. By issuing evacuation orders and instilling fear in the population, critics argue, Israel is engaging in “warfare by other means,” forcing civilians to leave under duress without guaranteeing their safety.

The mass displacement of civilians not only disrupts communities but also creates a humanitarian crisis, as displaced individuals struggle to find shelter, access medical care, and secure food and water. For Lebanon, a country already dealing with economic instability and an overburdened infrastructure, this influx of internally displaced persons poses severe challenges.

International law prohibits the forced displacement of civilians in most circumstances, viewing it as a potential war crime if conducted without a legitimate military necessity. Yet, as Houry points out, Israel’s approach appears to exploit legal loopholes, issuing warnings that provide only a semblance of compliance with international norms.

Calls for International Intervention and Accountability//

As the crisis in Tyre and other parts of southern Lebanon intensifies, there are growing calls for international intervention. Humanitarian organizations, regional governments, and activists have urged the United Nations and other international bodies to hold Israel accountable for actions that appear to violate international law. These groups argue that if left unchecked, Israel’s current tactics could set a dangerous precedent, allowing powerful nations to use forced displacement as a tool of war under the guise of “civilian protection.”

For the residents of Tyre and the broader Lebanese population, international intervention could provide a glimmer of hope. If pressure is applied through diplomatic channels, it may lead to a de-escalation of hostilities and a reassessment of Israel’s strategies in the conflict. Yet, the reality remains complex, as geopolitical dynamics often overshadow humanitarian concerns in such situations.

The Human Cost of Conflict and the Need for Resolution//

The story of Tyre is one of resilience amidst devastation. What was once a haven for the displaced has itself become a symbol of displacement, its residents scattered, and its buildings reduced to rubble. The forced evacuation of civilians, the relentless airstrikes, and the looming specter of further escalation all underscore the human cost of conflict.