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."

On the Brink of War

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.

Hezbollah attacked the Israeli resort city of Tiberius, located on the Sea of Galilee, for the first time since the 1973 war. Although no injuries were reported, the normally busy tourist town emptied out within hours. The Israeli military said Hezbollah has fired 700 rockets at Israel.

Saturday, the Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora issued an emotional appeal for an "immediate and comprehensive cease-fire under United Nations auspices." He also pledged his government to ending Hezbollah autonomy in the south, a key Israeli demand.

Israel said that it will not allow Hezbollah to maintain a presence on its northern border and demands that Hezbollah return the kidnapped soldiers. Earlier today, Israel raised the alert level in its largest city, Tel Aviv.

The Civilian Toll

So far, Gerges said about 120 Lebanese civilians have been killed. About 24 Israelis have died as a result of the Hezbollah missiles, including eight who died this morning after the Israeli city of Haifa was hit.

"There are major differences between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah," Gerges said. "The government does not control Hezbollah. In fact, I would argue that the Lebanese government, which is very much pro-western, as President Bush has made it very clear, finds itself between a rock -- that is, Hezbollah's actions -- and a hard place. And Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for the military attacks against its soldiers."

Gerges thinks the Israeli campaign is turning the Lebanese people against both Hezbollah and Israel.

"The country is paying the consequences of Hezbollah," Gerges said. "Many Lebanese are saying, 'Listen, Hezbollah carried out the attacks. Why would you hold the entire Lebanese population hostage?' I would argue that the longer the Israeli military campaign continues against the Lebanese people, in fact, the more the people's sentiments will turn against Israel. And in fact, Israel's actions will likely produce the opposite results from the intended consequences."

Gerges said that Israel is not just attacking Hezbollah, but the entire Lebanese population. Earlier today, the Israeli foreign minister held a press conference and said that Hezbollah is using the civilian population as shields.

Gerges said that he and his family are hunkering down and waiting out the assault because they cannot leave the country.

"I think we're taking it hour by hour and day by day," he said. "And I can tell you, Bill, when I made it here I was terrified just to be on the bridges -- because Israel is targeting almost every bridge in Lebanon. Every time I passed a bridge on the way here, my eyes were in the skies."

There are currently 25,000 American citizens in Lebanon. If you have loved ones there, you can register their names with the U.S. Embassy online at lebanon.usembassy.gov or by fax at +961 4 544 209 or +961 4 544 037.

In the United States, call the Overseas Citizens Services toll-free hotline at 1-888-407-4747.

Those not in the United States may contact the Embassy by telephone at (961-4) 542-600, 543-600.

For updates on the situation, visit the U.S. State Department Web site.