Municipal authorities say Israeli airstrikes conducted during the latest round of hostilities killed about 60 people in Tyre, destroyed 26 buildings and damaged roughly 1,000 homes, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee after evacuation warnings were issued earlier this month.

The attacks followed Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, drawing extensive Israeli military strikes across southern Lebanon as regional tensions escalated.

Although fighting has largely subsided following last week’s U.S.-Iran agreement and a subsequent reduction in hostilities along the Lebanese front, evidence of the conflict remains visible throughout Tyre, where damaged buildings, shattered storefronts and piles of rubble continue to dominate several neighborhoods.

Heavy equipment operators have been working around the clock to clear roads and remove debris. Residents searching through collapsed buildings for personal belongings have often found little remaining of their homes.

Authorities estimate that more than two-thirds of those displaced from the city have returned since the ceasefire took hold, beginning efforts to restore normal life despite continuing security concerns.

Business owners are among those leading the recovery. Hussein Hassan, a barber who returned after fleeing with his family during the conflict, reopened his shop despite structural damage that left walls cracked and windows destroyed.

Across the city, merchants and homeowners are undertaking repairs while assessing losses caused by the bombardment. Ali Samhat, who operates a neighborhood mini-market damaged in an airstrike, said reconstruction efforts had begun immediately after residents returned.

The destruction has also affected members of Lebanon’s diaspora. Abbas Ashour, who lives and works in Britain, returned to search the remains of the apartment he had purchased and furnished for his family before it was destroyed during the fighting.

Despite the damage, local officials are attempting to revive economic activity ahead of the summer tourism season. Deputy Mayor Alwan Charafeddine said plans are moving forward to reopen beachfront businesses and establish new cafes and kiosks along the city’s coastline.

Tyre, known for its beaches and historical significance, remains one of southern Lebanon’s most important tourist destinations. Residents have gradually returned to public spaces, including the city’s waterfront, where families and visitors have resumed recreational activities following weeks of displacement.

Many residents, however, remain cautious about the future. Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon, and both sides have exchanged accusations and threats since the ceasefire came into effect.

For now, the city’s recovery reflects a determination among residents to rebuild livelihoods disrupted by conflict while hoping the current period of relative calm develops into a more lasting stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.

We’re going after the IRGC,” Netanyahu said during the visit, adding that Israel would pursue its leadership, installations and economic assets.

The missile strike on Arad injured at least 59 people, according to Israeli medics, while nearby Dimona widely believed to be near Israel’s nuclear research facilities also sustained significant damage from a direct hit.

Rescue teams were deployed to affected neighbourhoods, where buildings were partially destroyed and debris scattered across residential areas. Authorities described the incident as a mass casualty event.

Netanyahu urged residents to strictly follow instructions from Israel’s Home Front Command and seek shelter during air raid sirens, describing the current situation as one in which “the entire home front is a frontline.

”He said adherence to safety protocols was critical to preventing casualties during continued missile barrages.

Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have described recent strikes as marking a new operational phase in the conflict, as Iranian missiles penetrated Israeli air defences in areas previously considered highly protected.

The exchange of attacks comes amid a wider regional escalation involving Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah, and follows strikes on key sites in both countries as the conflict enters its fourth week.