(LifeSiteNews) — On Tuesday, Christian leaders in the Lebanese city of Tyre called on the international community to take immediate action after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the city’s Christian district.

The evacuation warning marked a significant escalation for the Christian area, which had largely avoided the fighting up to that point, AP News reports.

Leaders from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox, and Maronite Catholic Churches all petitioned neighboring countries, as well as the Lebanese government, to “take immediate and serious action to spare the old quarter of Tyre from destruction and human tragedies.”

Israel issued the evacuation warning after carrying out airstrikes on nearby cities the previous week — attacks that left eight people dead and several others injured.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Metropolitan Archbishop George Iskandar of Tyre, who leads the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in southern Lebanon, said he intended to remain there to minister to his congregation despite the threat of military action.

“In these trying times facing our beloved South, we affirm that we remain in the city of Tyre—among our people and our community—just as our forefathers did before us, and just as the steadfast people of the South remain today on their land and in their villages and cities,” wrote Iskander.

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“Our presence among the people is not merely a circumstantial choice; rather, it is an integral part of our mission and our national, humanitarian, and spiritual duty. Just as we share in our people’s joys, we also share in their anxiety, suffering, and hope.”

The Israeli strikes on Lebanon have been widely criticized, even by President Trump. In an interview last week, Trump confirmed lashing out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the nation’s continued attacks on Lebanon amid peace negotiations.

Trump reportedly called Netanyahu “[expletive] crazy” while stating “everybody hates Israel” due to continued attacks in Lebanon.

Archbishop Iskandar confirmed his resolve to remain in the city of Tyre, citing the religious significance of the Christian presence.

“We will not abandon this city, which was blessed by the footsteps of Jesus Christ and which has borne witness throughout history to faith and steadfastness,” stated Iskander.

“We lift up our prayers for the protection of all civilians, asking God to spare our city and the entire South from the ravages of war and destruction, and to grant those in positions of responsibility the wisdom and courage to safeguard human lives, homes, and livelihoods.”