°®Âþµº

Israeli air strikes hit the southern Lebanese city of Tyre this morning, shortly after causing fear and panic when Israeli forces ordered a forced evacuation of heavily populated neighbourhoods.

The strikes came around three hours after the Israeli forces' Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adaree issued widespread expulsion orders for central parts of the ancient city, calling on citizens to leave and move north.

The areas include residential and commercial neighbourhoods around the streets of Al-Hiram, Jaafar Charafeddine, Abu Deib and Al-Athar Street. Adraee claimed that Hezbollah facilities are in the area.

He did not provide any evidence. Tyre Civil Defence urged residents to evacuate immediately via speakerphone and closed the entrances to the city to stop people from coming in. The neighbourhoods referenced by the Israeli army for evacuation are between the city's two UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Roman era Hippodrome dating back to the second century AD and the Egyptian port ruins.

It is also considered one of the oldest cities in the world and was first recognised as a key port along the Mediterranean coast by the Phoenicians. Lebanon's culture minister has expressed concern for the fate of the country's historic sites amid Israel's bombardment and called for international protection.