Tyre, Lebanon: Residents Return and Rebuild After War Devastation

Following a cease‑fire brokered by the United States and Iran, the southern Lebanese city of Tyre is gradually seeing residents return after weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Local authorities recorded about 60 deaths, 26 completely destroyed buildings and roughly 1,000 damaged homes. An evacuation order in early June forced tens of thousands to flee north, but local officials say more than two‑thirds have come back.

Residents are clearing rubble and reopening businesses. Bulldozer operator Bassam Khalil is fielding constant calls to remove debris, while co‑owner Hussein Hassan has reopened his hair‑dressing salon despite a shattered façade. Families search the wreckage for personal items, with one man describing the quest for “the scent of his home.” Youth are already enjoying the city’s Mediterranean beach, hoping for a calm that will last.

Despite the rebuilding efforts, many remain uneasy about a possible resurgence of hostilities, noting that Israeli troops remain positioned nearby in southern Lebanon.