beirut update 1
For the last half hour or so, I have been watching the skyline outside my balcony. It is on fire. It's 4:14am.
At 3:28am this morning, I woke up to the sound of Israeli jets flying low over our skies in Beirut. I was just beginning to finally fall asleep, had racing thoughts in my mind all night, cramps in my stomach, fear... Just as I thought I was going to fall asleep, I heard the sound of jets, followed by one explosion after another.
It has calmed down now. I hear morning prayers in the distance.
I am at home with some friends who have taken refugee with us. A lot of them foreigners. We are trying to explain... Who, what, why.. But, we're also trying to be normal. Because being normal is what got Lebanese through 20 some years of war. We are joking about how the airport is on fire because of all the alcohol in the duty free. We are trying to be normal.
Up until now, Israel has done the following:
-blown up our international airport, run ways, gas reserves for planes (no one can leave or enter the country.) -blown up small military domestic airports (both in the north and south) -blown up all bridges and roads linking beirut to the south -blown up areas/villages of the south, everything from the deep south to saida -blown up ... As I type this now, another jet is flying by, it is so loud -... Continue... Blown up the suburbs (Dahiye).. Three missiles -blown up the beirut-damascus road at several points -we are surrounded at sea as well, there are military ships launching attacks ... Not watching tv anymore, but I know there is so much more going on.
Thousands evacuated their homes from the south today. They had to walk for miles because their cars could not cross the highway.
Another jet and another explosion. This is all going into Dahiyeh. I can see the red anti aircraft "bullets" being shot in retaliation. Pointless. The weapons Hizbullah have are so old and out dated (World War II left overs from Russia).. No match for Israeli technology.
Newest update, it's 4:26am, Israelis are attacking the city, "Saida" from sea. They are targeting the bridge that connects to Saida.
Another really loud bomb. My heart is racing. I can only pretend to be brave.
Everything that is happening now is because Israel is trying to wipe out any trace of Hizuballah in Lebanon. In the process of doing all this, they have wiped out our infrastructures. Our roads, bridges, etc. civilian homes, innocent lives.
It's 4:32am and I have a knot in my stomach. I am praying they don't hit the electricity. I want my internet. I think it's the only thing that will help me stay normal.
Latest update; 9 missile raids into Dahiyeh in the last hour. There are now several parts of Beirut without electricity. The sky is glowing red.
I am praying for the people in Dahiyeh .. Another really really loud bomb. I guess that makes it 10 now.
I am angry now. the things that cross your mind... I just set up a new installation last week, now, no one will get to see it. I was just about ready to launch an international residency program here.. Not going to happen now. was just planning to start a family, who wants to get pregnant now?
Ladies and gentlemen, I did not want to burden you with the troubles of war, but I think it is really important that the world knows what is going on. We are under attack by israel. It is unjust and unfair. I wonder what the media coverage is like out there. All this must end. Israel must be stopped. This is so unjust and unfair. Everything we've worked on for the past 10 years is gone now. so, so so, unjust and unfair. We had so many cultural events planned for the summer... Exhibits... Concerts... Plays.. Etc. all gone.
Israel can not keep going into where ever they choose to go to and blow it up!
Lebanon can not be occupied again by Israel.
Dear friends, pray for us. For this madness to end. Pray for the Lebanese people to stick through this together and not lose their cool.
With love,
Zena 5:02am
Believe it or not, the sun is beginning to rise and I actually hear birds chirping.
At 3:28am this morning, I woke up to the sound of Israeli jets flying low over our skies in Beirut. I was just beginning to finally fall asleep, had racing thoughts in my mind all night, cramps in my stomach, fear... Just as I thought I was going to fall asleep, I heard the sound of jets, followed by one explosion after another.
It has calmed down now. I hear morning prayers in the distance.
I am at home with some friends who have taken refugee with us. A lot of them foreigners. We are trying to explain... Who, what, why.. But, we're also trying to be normal. Because being normal is what got Lebanese through 20 some years of war. We are joking about how the airport is on fire because of all the alcohol in the duty free. We are trying to be normal.
Up until now, Israel has done the following:
-blown up our international airport, run ways, gas reserves for planes (no one can leave or enter the country.) -blown up small military domestic airports (both in the north and south) -blown up all bridges and roads linking beirut to the south -blown up areas/villages of the south, everything from the deep south to saida -blown up ... As I type this now, another jet is flying by, it is so loud -... Continue... Blown up the suburbs (Dahiye).. Three missiles -blown up the beirut-damascus road at several points -we are surrounded at sea as well, there are military ships launching attacks ... Not watching tv anymore, but I know there is so much more going on.
Thousands evacuated their homes from the south today. They had to walk for miles because their cars could not cross the highway.
Another jet and another explosion. This is all going into Dahiyeh. I can see the red anti aircraft "bullets" being shot in retaliation. Pointless. The weapons Hizbullah have are so old and out dated (World War II left overs from Russia).. No match for Israeli technology.
Newest update, it's 4:26am, Israelis are attacking the city, "Saida" from sea. They are targeting the bridge that connects to Saida.
Another really loud bomb. My heart is racing. I can only pretend to be brave.
Everything that is happening now is because Israel is trying to wipe out any trace of Hizuballah in Lebanon. In the process of doing all this, they have wiped out our infrastructures. Our roads, bridges, etc. civilian homes, innocent lives.
It's 4:32am and I have a knot in my stomach. I am praying they don't hit the electricity. I want my internet. I think it's the only thing that will help me stay normal.
Latest update; 9 missile raids into Dahiyeh in the last hour. There are now several parts of Beirut without electricity. The sky is glowing red.
I am praying for the people in Dahiyeh .. Another really really loud bomb. I guess that makes it 10 now.
I am angry now. the things that cross your mind... I just set up a new installation last week, now, no one will get to see it. I was just about ready to launch an international residency program here.. Not going to happen now. was just planning to start a family, who wants to get pregnant now?
Ladies and gentlemen, I did not want to burden you with the troubles of war, but I think it is really important that the world knows what is going on. We are under attack by israel. It is unjust and unfair. I wonder what the media coverage is like out there. All this must end. Israel must be stopped. This is so unjust and unfair. Everything we've worked on for the past 10 years is gone now. so, so so, unjust and unfair. We had so many cultural events planned for the summer... Exhibits... Concerts... Plays.. Etc. all gone.
Israel can not keep going into where ever they choose to go to and blow it up!
Lebanon can not be occupied again by Israel.
Dear friends, pray for us. For this madness to end. Pray for the Lebanese people to stick through this together and not lose their cool.
With love,
Zena 5:02am
Believe it or not, the sun is beginning to rise and I actually hear birds chirping.
posted by zena at 3:07 PM
3 Comments:
zena habibti
my name is shiri. i am a 43 old single mother to a 7 years old beautiful doughter. i am having teers in my eyes right now, while whiting you.
to be honest, i did not read everything you wrote, just here and there. nevertheless i do feel related to you as a woman, as an artist. just like you i am passionat to see all these terrible blodshed behind.
i do not have any specific political thoughts. for me the internet is the best, because it has no frontiers, and this is the way i think.
i send you my love, to you and to your other lebanies brothers and sisters, who are for me also brothers and sisters, just like i do to my israeli brothers and sisters, to everyone who suffers these days under this impossible and unberriable situation.
i wish you peace and love, strength and happiness, and also that, against all owds ,soon peace will emmerge in our tired,hearted region. what can i say more?
just for you to know that some people here, in israel, including muself, feel that we are alle one.
big hug- shiri
hello Zena. God bless you and keep you safe. I just want to assure you that Israel does not want to occupy you at all. She has merely exercised her right to defend herself. Has she been too destructive? I cannot imagine how horrid it must be for you but I ask you "Why do Hizbollah fire rockets from crowded apartments and garages and parking lots? And why did your lovely country allow a terrorist organisation to flourish?
God watch over you.
Gill
HI i am Stefan from France , i am a friend from Emily in NYC , everytime i read your lines i feel ashamed to be here doing nothing for u ,i d like to be able to help more ...This message to let u know that most people in France strongly condamn what Israel is doing ...but what is the inflence of France ? I am passing your words to the Masons ,Rotary and Mensa Organisations .
Peace will come soon .
God bless you and the people there!
Post a Comment
<< Home