Israel Strike Kills Eight in Lebanon; U.S. Rescues Helicopter Crew from Strait of Hormuz

An Israeli airstrike on the historic southern Lebanese port city of Tyre killed at least eight people on Tuesday, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Although Israel and Iran halted direct attacks on each other on Monday following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, Tehran warned that it would resume hostilities if Israel continued attacking its ally, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

Israeli strikes on Tyre, among the deadliest attacks on the city since fighting began in March, came after an evacuation order covering the entire city. Lebanese state media reported that rescue teams were still searching through the rubble for survivors.

Lebanon Campaign Complicates Peace Efforts

Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon has become a major obstacle to efforts by the Trump administration to transform the fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire into a broader and more durable regional settlement.

Iran has repeatedly stated that any long-term peace agreement with the United States must include an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Israel, however, maintains that its campaign against Hezbollah is a separate conflict and has continued its operations.

U.S. Helicopter Crew Rescued

Meanwhile, two crew members from a U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopter were rescued after their aircraft went down in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States Central Command said a U.S. Navy drone located the pilots in the water and helped facilitate their rescue within approximately two hours. Both crew members were reported to be in stable condition.

Speaking to reporters, President Trump said, “The pilots are fine. Nobody was injured.”

Officials have not yet determined whether the helicopter was brought down by hostile fire, mechanical failure, or another cause. A formal report is expected later.

Iranian Personnel to Be Buried

Iran’s military said two air-defense personnel killed in Israeli strikes the previous day would be buried on Tuesday. No deaths were reported in Israel following the latest Iranian attacks.

Oil Prices Ease

Global oil prices, which had risen sharply amid the Israel-Iran exchanges, retreated on Tuesday after both sides paused direct attacks, easing immediate concerns over a wider regional escalation.

Possible Diplomatic Breakthrough

Trump told reporters that he may have “an idea” for a potential agreement with Iran within the next few days, though he provided no details.

U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed that Trump spoke by phone with Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. In an interview with Axios, Trump said he warned Netanyahu against returning to full-scale war with Iran.

Iran continues to demand the lifting of international sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz as part of any broader settlement, while Washington insists that any agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.