Israel Strikes Iranian Air Defenses and Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon

Israel and Iran each announced they would stop striking the other following an exchange of attacks that began Sunday. The statement came hours after both sides declared a halt to direct attacks later on Monday.

Israeli forces struck the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Tuesday, killing at least eight people and ordering the entire population, including the Christian quarter, to evacuate. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported the overall death toll from Israeli operations since March 2 has reached 3,666, with 11,321 injured.

Israeli attacks elsewhere in Lebanon killed at least nine people on Monday, according to the same ministry figures.

Israel bombed Beirut on Sunday, prompting Iran to fire missiles at northern Israel. Israel then struck Iranian air-defense systems and a petrochemical plant early Monday; Iran responded by hitting a facility in Haifa and two Israeli airbases. Both sides declared a halt to those direct attacks later on Monday, though Israel said operations against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon would continue.

Officials warned that one side would be on its own if attacks persisted. A statement on Monday said the right to self-defense is retained and is being exercised. One side posted that it remains at the negotiating table. Officials said nearly 3,500 air attacks and 407 demolitions have been conducted since April 16.