Stranded in Beirut: Thousands Endure Attacks

July 16, 2006 — -- Despite years of bloody conflict, Beirut was making a comeback and reclaiming its title as the "Paris of the Middle East."

The city, characterized by beautiful mountains and beaches, offers some of the finest shopping and dining in the region. It is considered the most open liberal society in the Middle East.

As a result, many tourists are caught in the crossfire as Israel launches an assault on Lebanon after the militant group and political party, Hezbollah.

ABC News consultant Fawaz Gerges and his three daughters are among the stranded vacationers.

"The situation is very serious here, as you know," Gerges, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College, told "Good Morning America Weekend Edition. "Constant bombings, hundreds of casualties. The children are having difficulty sleeping because of the constant presence of fighter planes. There's a state of panic that's taken hold in the country."

Gerges said Lebanon is experiencing a shortage of food and fuel, and the bridges have been destroyed. In addition, the airport and seaports have been attacked by Israel, so Gerges said that the country is isolated.

"Israel has, as you know, imposed a full naval blockade of the country," he said. "As we talk, there is a major bombing campaign in Beirut. It is much more serious really than I can express in words at this moment."

Israel launched its attacks on Beirut this past week after militants kidnapped two Israeli solders.

Gerges said Lebanon is evenly split in its opinion about Hezbollah, a militant group targeted by Israel that has elected officials in Lebanon's government. Some blame the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah for the violence; others think the Israeli response is too harsh.

The Israeli attack on Lebanon expanded Saturday with new assaults against the northern port city of Tripoli, where Israeli helicopters fired rockets at the harbor and hit grain silos in the deepest strikes since fighting began Wednesday.

Also Saturday, Israel struck Hezbollah strongholds and, for the first time, central Beirut, killing approximately 35 civilians.