Day 4 - the afternoon

The world is blind.

Today the dirty war began: Massacres, similar to those I saw once I was a child. Pieces of human flesh spread on the wounded soil, screams of anger and despair merge with the sound of fire and broken metal. This is the story of Marwahin, a small village in the south of Lebanon. A story so similar to so many others this besieged land has encountered. On the 15^th of July the Israeli army dropped flyers to warn the villagers, giving them 2 hours to leave there homes. Families packed what can be taken and set there path to the UN quarters nearby. Upon arrival they were not granted refuge and were sent away, back to their homes. Moments later Israeli shells dropped on one of the vans. 23 people were killed, all civilians, and many kids. Debris of human flesh decorated the ground, and help was unavailable – as all bridges and roads are destroyed.

I see my country devastated. I see it fall apart. I see the world in silence and the Arabs in disgrace. We are alone in this, our will is our weapon. The world is blind or just as criminal.

The declared aim of the operation is now to destroy the Hezbollah, this means the destruction of a whole people – those who live their life for one simple aim, to be free and proud, or else they die in pride. On the 12^th of July I was against the kidnapping of the soldiers, it was a trap I assumed, I still believe so, but now the issue is no longer the same.

From the north till the south, Lebanon is under attack: All ports, Beirut, Jounyeh, Tripoli, and Batroun, have been bombed, along with the lighthouse on the Beirut coastline. These are not terrorist structures, these are, if there are any, civilian and vital structures. Today was a long violent day. The southern suburbs were hit so many times I can’t even count. Every shell, from the air or from the sea, makes a detonation that can be heard all over the city. Air raids are usually noisier; shells coming from the sea have less impact.

Today like everyday since the start of the attack we went to the Wimpy like many others. Later we had a walk, listening to the sound of incoming bombs trying to guess where they landed. We ended up in a pub called Prague, it was filled with people. What usually happens is perhaps this feeling of safety one feels when in presence of fellow lingerers, laughter and a feeling of normality fills the place. When you see a familiar face you say hello and some words of reassurance.

Foreign embassies have called for its citizens to leave the country; they will help them get to Cyprus and from there towards their countries. This is usually a bad sign.

Tonight the Lebanese Prime minister called for a seize fire and declared Lebanon a devastated country; but until now only more escalation. Tonight will possibly be long enough, maybe too long. However for one who has lived in Beirut I know that it is a city like no other. It has lived through so many wars and invasion that sometimes we feel it is a feature of the city. Beirut will not be broken.

Tomorrow the Lebanese Red Cross opens its doors for volunteers.