Tyre faces devastation as Israel strikes leave city uninhabitable

In Lebanon, following an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, families began returning to their homes in the city of Tyre, which has suffered from considerable destruction due to Israeli strikes since late September. The intensity and frequency of the bombardment have turned sections of the city into disaster zones, lacking basic utilities such as water and electricity. According to local officials, more than 50 multi-story buildings are completely destroyed, while many others have sustained partial damage, contributing to the overall devastation of the area. The residential population of Tyre was around 120,000 before many fled in response to the assaults. Now, as citizens return to survey the damage, they find not only their homes in ruins but also vital infrastructure destroyed, including the Tyre water company, which was specifically targeted in an airstrike on November 18, resulting in the loss of water supply for about 30,000 residents. Public services like shops and restaurants remain closed, and while residents are returning during the day, they leave at night due to the lack of water and electricity in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. The mayor of Tyre, Hassan Dbouk, expressed his despair over the situation, noting that the entire city has been impacted and calling the destruction unprecedented. Local residents, grappling with the harsh reality of their circumstances, describe their emotional trauma as they confront the aftermath of the attacks on their city and their lives.