Issues

Issues

Crisis in the Middle East

Posted on Thursday July 20, 2006

These are real stories and pictures sent to AAI from Arab Americans whose family and friends are stuck in Lebanon.

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The Elzayat Family
These three American children, Nadine, 7, Maya, 3, and Hassan 5, American children are stuck in the village of Sultane in the South of Lebanon with no way out. They are with their mother, Samira Elzayat, 32, also an American, and their little brother Jamil, 6 months, visiting family.
Father Kail C. Ellis
From right to left: Fr. Kail Ellis; cousin Edmond Hobeiche, Kail’s father, Rafic Ellis, counsin Jouhaina Hobeiche, and Jouhaina’s daughter-in-law, Desiree Joseph.
Father Kail C. Ellis, born in 1940 in Carthage, New York to Lebanese immigrant parents, is visiting friends and family in Beirut. Kail is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Villanova University and in 1983 founded Villanova’s Institute for Contemporary Arab and Islamic studies. A Roman Catholic priest, political scientist, and Middle Eastern scholar, Fr. Ellis is the author of a number of articles on the Middle East, as well as editor of Lebanon’s Second Republic: Prospects for the Twenty-First Century. He is a frequent visitor to the region, and first traveled to Lebanon in 1958 to visit family (during that trip, he sent reports to his hometown newspaper on the U.S. Marine landing of that year).
Khalil Bassam
This is my parent’s pharmacist (Khalil Bassam) in South Lebanon’s southernmost city, Tyre (pronounced, Sour). He is a true soldier. He’s been working non-stop to give medicines to families that are coming from all neighboring villages in the South to get milk and medicines. He has a family, two beautiful children and a wife who’s an anthropologist. He told me:
“We fight our own way. I’m working non-stop to give medicines to my people.”
I’m also enclosing a photo of Tyre, the ancient Phoenetian port city, and a view from a house across from my parent’s in Beit Yahoun, in South Lebanon. I took these photos just two weeks ago, when I was there.
Suzan, Saleem, Waseem and Jad
My name is Saleem. My mom is Suzan, and my two younger brothers are Waseem and Jad (I am in the middle). We came to Lebanon this summer to get to know our grandparents. We had the greatest time of our life playing with our cousins and bonding with Sitti and Jiddu [Grandma and Grandpa]. Dad stayed in Houston to work at the Johnson Space Center. I am sure he now is supporting the NASA Shuttle flight to the space station. I miss him very very much. We were ready to come back to our home in Houston on Sunday July 30, but now with most of the roads destroyed I am so scared, and I don’t know what is going to happen.
I want to tell my president Mr. Bush to tell Israel to please stop destroying the roads in Lebanon. I don’t know how we can come back home with all the roads and airports being destroyed. Please Mr. President, I know you can help the people here in Lebanon.
I miss my friends Conner, Mitch and Ryan. I want to come back home so we have a few basketball games before school starts.
Ziad, Dana and Zeina
Ziad and his pregnant wife Dana have been married for seven years. Their daughter Zeina is five years old, three days before leaving for Beirut, they celebrated her birthday. Zeina was excited to visit her grandparents in Lebanon. Dana and Zeina were schedule to return from Lebanon when the Israeli bombardments began. Zeina is scared, so her family keeps telling her that it’s fire works, but she’s beginning to doubt them. Dana is seven months pregnant Ziad hopes to have her back home before her due date. He is very concerned about Dana’s health, because during his last conversation with her, he could tell that fatigue and fear are setting in.
The Abou-Khalil Family
The Abou-Khalil family is from Texas. Ibrahim, Yolanda and their children, Azim, (age 11), Zeinab (age 7), and Gabriel (age 2), are stranded in Tyre.
Christine El-Khoury
Christine El-Khoury, 17, of North Olmsted, OH just graduated high school with Honors from St. Joseph Academy on June 5, 2006. She was active in her school’s drama club, French club, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She is visiting family in Hammana, Lebanon as a graduation gift. She plans to attend Cleveland State University this fall. Her mother, Therese El-Khoury, Christine’s brothers, and the rest of her extended family anxiously await her safe return home to the US. Our prayers are with you Tina!”
Hamzeh and Aida Abbas, parents of Hasan Abbas, are stranded south Beirut. The last time Israel bombed Lebanon in the 1990’s, Aida had a miscarriage. The couple is very much wants to leave the city immediately.
Vanessa Aponte, a student at Rutgers University who was taking classes at AUB is stuck in Beirut with her mom. The two are originally from Ridgefiled, NJ.

Pilar and Jamal Saad, mother and brother (respectively) of Layelle Saad are currently still in Beirut. While the two were supposed to leave in two weeks, Layelle, as well as Pilar and Jamal are unsure on how they will leave the county.

Elise Salem, a New Jersey resident and Vice Provost of Farleigh-Dickinson University, is currently stuck in Lebanon with her son.

Itidal Bazzi, 3, of Dearborn, MI is stranded in Maaraki, near Tyre, in the south of Lebanon.

Jinan Harkous of Madison Heights, MI is trapped in Nabatieh in the south of Lebanon, while her husband, Samer, attempts to contact her and ensure her safety from here in the United States.

Zeina Zabib is with her two children, Aya, 6, and Sami, 5, in Beirut. From their present location, they can hear bombs being dropped on the southern part of the city. The noise is scaring both children to the point where Aya has asked her mother to “call the plane to take us home,” to the USA where there are no more bombs. “I don’t want to die here,” said Aya, “I still want to see more and be big like you.”

Yasmin Hamidi is stuck in Beirut with her family. Although they all have registered their names with the U.S. Embassy, Ahmad’s diabetes medication is running low, and he does not have access to any more; Ali Hamidi, 2, is sick as well, and does not have acess to his doctor and medication.

Zak Ayoubi is fearful for his wife and children, Mervatt, Rayann, 3 1/2, Sarah, 1 year 9 months. They are currently stuck in the Alfakhani Aljadid area of Beirut

Maha, Ali, 16, and Maryam Ali, 1 ½, are all stuck in Sidon in the south of Lebanon. While they were to leave Beirut on August 9th by plane, after bombing started they attempted to board a bus to Syria to evacuate the country.

Heather and Armen Henyon have left their home apartment in West Beirut to escape Israeli bombing. They are currently awaiting the U.S. evacuation in a now called Antelias, an Armenian village north of Beirut. They are hopeful that after leaving their home, belongings, and pets, that the evacuation will allow them to leave.

Hana Elsamad is stuck in Lebanon with her children Ayah, 6, Lana, and Maya, both 1. Hana’s husband, Houzaifa, anxiously awaits their safe return.

Rania Al-Awar, 22, began her vacation in Lebanon 3 weeks ago. While she was scheduled to leave on July 18th to Washington, she is now stranded in Karnayel, with her aunt and cousins as a result of the Israeli bombing.

The wife of Bassil Kublaoui is currently trapped in Lebanon. Both are residents of Dallas.

Mounier, 40, Hakima, 35, Mohamed Kemal, 8 and Laila Diab, 2 ½, are all stranded in the south of Lebanon in a village named Bazouriyeh, near Tyre. The residents of Stafford, VA were to return to their homes on July 28th before the bombing started.

Christel Karam, a green card holder, is stuck with her mother, Wadad, in Hadath, a section of Beirut.

Abraham, 48, Ali, 18, and Rachelle Ajrouch, 14, as well as Carl Eastman, 66, and Omar Soubra, 13, residents of Michigan and New Jersey are trapped in Kfarhouna and Jezzien. While they are currently safe, the roads to get out have been bombed, making it difficult to get to either Damascus or Beirut. The group does not now know how they will get out.

Umm Abdullah al Jibaaly is currently in Lebanon and is caught with her family in the midst of the destruction. Her and her family can clearly see the bombing and fighting from their living room window.

James and Nelly Farhat of St. Paul, MN are stuck with their four children, ranging in ages from 10 to 21. While the family was originally staying in Beirut, they moved to the mountains, near Ajaltoun once the bombing started.

Elias Rebeiz, a U.S. citizen, is currently living in the Hamra section of Beirut. While he has registered with the embassy, he wonders on whether to leave the city.

The sister of Nemer Baki, and her two children are stuck in Lebanon. While they are currently safe, Nemer ishopeful that they will leave soon.


Zaha Hassan of Vancouver, WA was scheduled to travel to the Occupied Palestinian Territories on July 4th but cancelled the trip after reports of Israel barring Palestinian-Americans from entry. Her Aunt Mona, 60, was excluded recently from entry into Israel, and was held for 3 days in a detention facility before being sent back to the U.S. Zaha’s mother, Seham Handoush, 59, was excluded after living for 15 years in Palestine.


Rima Saba, a native of Michigan, was barred access to the West Bank as a result of her Palestinian status. Her daughter currently lives there and possesses an Israeli ID, but has no one to care for her as her father lives somewhere other than Ramallah. Saba has since been allowed access after two months worth of attempts.
The Habib Family
A fourth generation Arab American, Richard M. Habib is worried about his wife, Faten Alsaadi Habib, who traveled to Lebanon last month and planned to return on July 19 after tending to family matters in Beirut and Damascus. Since Beirut’s airport and almost every other exit point has been destroyed by Israeli shelling, Mr. Habib does not know when Faten can come home to California to her sixteen-year old son. Mr. Habib believes that the Administration’s reaction to Israel’s response is an “endorsement of Israel’s collective punishment on millions of innocent civilians.”
The Brinjikji Family
Waleed Brinjikji, 21 (pictured), Sarra, 18, and Lena, 17, from West Bloomfield, MI were visiting family in Bint-Jbail, Lebanon when they were supposed to leave Wednesday, July 12. Waleed’s mother, Hiam, is a high school counselor at Crestwood High in Dearborn Heights, MI. Waleed is a pre-med student at Michigan State University (MSU), and is very active in peace and community clubs. He is the big brother to two young boys who are refugees from The Congo. Sarra just graduated from high school and is heading to MSU. She was the co-captain of the Varsity soccer team and is a cross country runner. She will be studying science at the Honors College at MSU. Lena will be a senior at Andover High School. She is the co-captain of the swim team and co-captain of the Junior Varsity soccer team.
The Shaarani Family
Rana Shaarani’s family traveled to Lebanon for vacation, and were scheduled to return home on July 14. They are now stranded in Lebanon. Having lived through Lebanon’s civil war, Rana, who awaits family’s evacuation, is very afraid that the Israeli attacks on Lebanon will permanently scar Faysal, Waleed, and Meera (all pictured) for years to come.
The Ayoub Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ayoub are currently in Beit Yahoun, Lebanon, in close proximity to Bint Jbeil, South Lebanon. According to their children in the US, the Ayoubs, are stranded in with little food, water. Mrs. Ayoub has told her children that there is a lot of rocket fire and she is unable to sleep during the night. Fortunately, they have neighbors who are looking after them but until the communication lines cease to function, her children “will surely loose our minds.” Mr. Ayoub suffers from high-blood pressure. Mrs. Ayoub suffers from osteo-arthritis and has a serious condition of osteoporosis.
The Chami Family
Rana Abbas’s husband, Hicham Chami, his mother, father, and younger brother are all in Chouffeit, Lebanon, 20 minutes north of Beirut. They live in Michigan. Hicham left the US on July 5 to visit his family for the summer and attend his sister’s wedding. Hicham and his family are all US Permanent Residents (not citizens), and all evacuation plans are being announced for citizens only. Rana has called the State Department and asked about any evacuation strategies for Permanent Residents and they knew of none. Although she US Citizen, State Department officials told Hicham that they will treat greencard holders on a case by case basis. Rana states, that there isn’t even a place for them to register their information. Rana is very frightened, and has no way of ensuring of ensuring that Hicham and his family will come home safely.
Rev. Lawrence Biondi, President of St. Louis University, is safe and in good spirits while he waits to be evacuated from his hotel outside Beirut. He traveled to the city on Monday in order to deliver a commencement address at Notre Dame University outside Beirut, though the address was postponed after the Israeli bombing.

Mary and Sarah Fathallah, both residents of Worcester, MA are stranded in Lebanon as a result of the fighting. Sarah, a student at AUB, and her mother, Mary, moved out of Beirut once the fighting began. They are currently staying in a village called Babet.

Tarek Zein al-Abdin is currently stuck with his wife, Lama, and daughters, Aya and Sarah, in Lebanon. Tarek’s father is currently in need of medical evacuation.

Ahmed and Michael Faraj are currently forced to endure the fighting in Lebanon. Ahmed visited his native country for the first time in thirty years, only to experience the destruction now being seen in Bint Jbail, the community where he and his brother are staying.

Nabil Sater and her two daughters are now stuck in Lebanon after traveling to the country for vacation. Nabil and her daughters, ages 16 and 11, were originally staying in Beirut, but have now moved into the mountains to a village named Ain Aar.

Akeel Saad, a U.S. citizen from Michigan, was on vacation in Bint Jbail when his house was struck by Israeli missiles. His son was killed instantly, and Akeel injured severely. He is currently in critical condition at the Salah Bandour hospital in Bint Jbail.

Mona Abdul-Azis was traveling with her husband, four children, parents, and sister when the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began. The family was visiting Beirut when the crisis began, however their passports and travel documents remain in their hometown of Keter Maya.

Dr. Nader Ajluni, a doctor from Des Moines, IA, was traveling with his wife, Cyrene, and their two teenage children, when the fighting in Lebanon began. Dr. Ajluni was attending intensive Arabic classes at AUB while his family vacationed.
Mira and Elias Nassar, 70 and 85, respectively, are now stranded in Beirut, while their daughters anxiously await their safe evacuation.

Salim Abboud, his wife Julie, and their son Albert, all residents of Little Falls, NJ are stranded in Lebanon and attempting to figure out how to leave.
Relatives of Bob Youssef were victims of an Israeli bombing in Zibkeen. His nephew’s wife’s family was virtually wiped out: her mother, sister Malak, 17, Mohamad, 17, brother Hussein, 11, her aunt and cousins, aged 18, 14, and 9 were all killed. In addition, her grandmother, 80, great aunt, 74, cousin, 24, and aunt, 38, were also killed in the same bombing. Her father and uncle are now in the hospital, each with broken legs, third-degree burns, and severe psychological trauma over this tragedy.

Rita, Rony, and Karla Stephan of Austin Texas are currently stuck in Beirut as a result of the present crisis.
Wassim Salman, his wife Roula, and their baby, are all stranded in Beirut. All three are citizens from Atlanta, GA.

Tammy Saah and Nada Hindiyeh of San Jose and Orange County (respectively) were attending medical school at AUB before the crisis began. They have now been forced to transfer in order to finish their remaining years of school.
Marwan, Lubna, Omar, and Kareem Aridi, as well as Riad Dakour are all stranded in Bayssour, a village near Aley. The Aridis are originally from Dallas, while Riad hails from Lubbock, TX.

Mohammad and Ikram Khaled are seeking a way out of Beirut, according to their daughter, Wedad.

Vanessa Aponte, a Lebanese/Cuban-American citizen from Ridgfield, NJ is now stuck in Beirut. The Rutgers senior was taking classes at AUB.

Kanan Hamzeh and his wife, of Southern California, were scheduled to leave Lebanon for Hommes, Syria, on Thursday, July 13th, until Israeli warplanes bombed the main road. Hamzeh is vice chairman of the board of the House of Lebanon project, which recently successfully pushed to make Beirut and Los Angeles sister cities.

Akeel Saad, a native of Michigan, was on vacation in Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, when an Israeli missile struck his house, killing his son instantly and injuring Saad severely. He is currently in critical condition in a hospital in Bint Jbeil. Saad’s family, who is increasingly concerned as he already had a heart condition, has received tremendous support and assistance from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. The family has worked with her office, as well as the State Department, in an effort to send assistance to Saad in the South. According to one of Akeel’s relatives, Sen. Stabenow’s office explained, “They would usually send someone to make sure they are receiving care, however it would be difficult because travel in south Lebanon is very dangerous,” she said.

Kristine Ajrouch of Northville, Michigan, is with her family in Kfarhouna, outside of Jezzine. She is currently staying with her husband, Abraham, and their two children, Ali and Rachelle, 18 and 14 respectively. While they are scheduled to leave Lebanon on August 1st, they are now trapped as the roads to the north have been bombed by Israeli jets. “As of today, July 16, it is not clear how we will get out,” Kristine said.

Barbara Rofkar is waiting, along with the rest of Lebanon, to get a better understanding of the devastation of the Lebanon before deciding when and how to leave the country. She is now staying in a youth hostel in East Beirut, in addition to volunteering near Hamra Street. “So far the Israelis have hit roadways, the airport, and a bank in Southern Lebanon, and possibly the power station, as power is out in most of the city,” Rofkar said. “I have a lot of questions but hold them back, as of course there are no answers here.”

Saleem Baltaji, 12, of Houston, Texas, is traveling with his mother Suzan, 36, and two younger brothers Waseem and Jad, 10 and 4 respectively. They are currently staying in Tripoli, but are scheduled to leave July 30th. “But now with most of the roads being destroyed, I am scared, and I don’t know what is going to happen,” Saleem said. “I don’t know how we can come back home with all the roads and airports destroyed.” Their father works at the Johnson Space Center and remains in Texas.

Rahima Fayed, who works at the American Red Cross in Philadelphia, PA, arrived in Beirut to see her family just 24 hours before this crisis erupted. She, along with her daughter Yusra Shawar, a student at the University of Virginia, are stuck in Beirut. They have not seen the rest of their family who are stranded in the suburbs of the airport. They have not slept at night fearful of what could happen next. As US citizens, contact with the US embassy to coordinate their evacuation is all they have to rely upon after all the roads into Syria have been attacked by Israel. “When they could be allowed to leave and how safe will their trip be is worrying me a lot,” said Dr. Ribhi Shawar, Head of Clinical Microbiology at the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKiline.