Forwarded to Tadamon! by Lebanese friends …

Salam Alaykum,

July 16th. 2006. 11:00a.m.

Yesterday evening, Isreal continued to commit atrocities in Beirut, Baalbeck, and southern villages. Specifically in the village of Marwaheen, Isreal committed another Qana-Like massacre, where women and children were turned away from United Nations Post, and Israel massacred them nearby these posts.

The International Community remains silent to these atrocities, and Arab Nations, specifically Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt have not condemned this WAR. It seems everyone is betting that the Lebanese will have an internal conflict, and raise pressure on the resistance to surrender.

Foreign embassies are evacuating their citizens.

The seige will continue, and it looks like the next few days will be worse.

This morning, at 8a.m., things were quiet, so I decided to drive around the area. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, the streets were empty, as if it were a ghost town. On nearby streets, people were coming out; to buy some necessary food items, and others were looking around their property damage. Some children sat around entrances to buildings, showing the victory sign, and bulldozers were clearing the rubble. Despite the destruction, morale continues to be high, and everyone seems to be in a state of stubborn resistance.

The nicest thing about this day, I learned, is that the sound of prayers continues to sound high during the early hours of dawn. I found a mini-market that was open, and luckily, they took visa. I was able to buy necessary food items, enough to keep us alive for 30 days under seige, if things escalate further, and we are not able to move around.

My family in Hanawey were able to have some rest after 3a.m. in the morning, after the bombardment stopped. Speaking to each family member, the children were nervous, and the adults showed courage, and patience. Bombings of the area commenced at 9a.m. These are the times that I wish I was with them. However, the roads are still very risky for any travel, and I cannot take any chances while my other two children are with me. The only thing that we can do is pray, and hope for the best.

Until we write to you again, we leave you in the best care of Allah,