Israel Expands Evacuation Order to Tyre's Christian Quarter, Citing Hezbollah Rocket and Drone Launches from the Area

Israel issued an evacuation order Tuesday that for the first time includes Al Hara, the historic Christian quarter of Tyre, Lebanon. The order expands the zone residents must leave as Israel continues operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

Tyre, founded more than 4,700 years ago by the ancient Phoenicians, contains a UNESCO World Heritage site and Mediterranean beaches that normally draw tourists.

Janette Barbour, a married mother of three grown children who lives in Al Hara, left Tyre for Beirut with her daughter on the morning of June 9, 2026. “I never imagined leaving Al Hara. It is a safe area.

We are not armed,” she told NBC News. Her husband and son remained because they operate a café and a restaurant in Tyre port. Barbour said many older residents are staying because they do not want to leave their houses.

“Of course I am afraid, especially because part of my family is still there, but you know Al Hara is a neutral area, no political parties, no arms, so we’re hoping that it doesn’t get attacked,” she said. An unidentified worker at an Al Hara hotel said most guests have fled and about 10 people remain. “Mind you, for the first time, many families left Al Hara.

We are afraid, it’s only human, but we decided to stay,” the worker said. Israel contends that Hezbollah is using Al Hara to launch rocket and drone attacks on Israel. Israel began bombarding Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon earlier in 2026.

Lily Hawila, a 29-year-old English teacher who lives in the Al Houch section of Tyre a few miles from Al Hara, fled the city. Her apartment was damaged during the 2024 war with shattered glass and broken doors and was repaired after the November 2024 ceasefire. She said she believes all buildings on her street and other streets are now destroyed.

Hawila rented an apartment in the Chouf Mountains northeast of Tyre for her mother and brother. Her father remained in the Al Bass area with his elderly mother. Sana Abou Zeid, a 50-year-old mother of three grown children living in the Al-Masaken section of Tyre, said she goes to stay with her children outside the city each time an evacuation order is issued and returns when it is safe.

Her eldest son serves in the Lebanese army and her youngest son is in high school. While speaking to a reporter on June 9, 2026, Abou Zeid received word that her street had been bombed and eight people were killed. “We are anxious.

Let’s hope that we can stay where we are now and not have to be displaced to another area. And let’s hope that we can return home soon,” she said. Tyre has been besieged by Alexander the Great, the Crusaders, and bombarded by Israel since 1978.