An Israeli airstrike targeted the historic Citadel of Tyre, part of Lebanon's UNESCO-listed ancient city, on Monday, according to Lebanon's National News Agency as cited by local media. The strike occurred amid intensified Israeli operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah targets.

The Citadel forms part of the Tyre site, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1984 for its Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, and Ottoman remains, including walls of an ancient Crusader castle. Specific details on damage to the citadel remain unclear, with no immediate reports of casualties from that location. Social media posts and Lebanese outlets described the hit as direct, labeling it a UNESCO-protected site not used for military purposes.

This incident follows a pattern of strikes near Tyre's heritage areas. On March 6, an Israeli airstrike damaged the entrance to the nearby Al-Bass necropolis, part of the same UNESCO property, causing material harm to its perimeter but sparing major monuments. Lebanon's Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé then condemned the attack, asserting no military presence at such sites and urging UNESCO intervention. UNESCO has monitored the situation, calling for restraint and referencing obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention.

Monday's actions in Tyre also included a strike near Red Cross offices, killing one wounded individual being transported and damaging vehicles, prompting international concern over humanitarian impacts. The International Committee of the Red Cross described consecutive strikes as 'gravely concerning.' Separately, several people died in an orchard strike in Tyre, per state media.

Israel has not commented specifically on the citadel strike. The Israeli military typically states operations target Hezbollah infrastructure, operatives, and launch sites in response to rocket fire from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected negotiations amid ongoing bombings on Monday.

The broader campaign includes Israeli forces encircling the nearby town of Bint Jbeil, aiming for control within days to secure the border area. Tyre, continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, has faced repeated threats since hostilities escalated after Hezbollah's October 2024 attacks linked to the Gaza war. Earlier waves in 2024 and March 2026 damaged surrounding areas but largely spared core ruins.

Lebanese officials and heritage experts have erected protective signs at over 30 sites under UNESCO-linked initiatives to deter strikes. Despite this, proximity to Hezbollah strongholds continues to endanger the city's irreplaceable artifacts.