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Lebanese family relives the horror

Of the 11 people getting medical attention at Abu Dhabi-based Shaikh Zayed Military Hospital, five are children who are suffering the worst type of pain both physically and psychologically. Khaleej Times visited them at the hospital to listen to their experiences and managed to speak to some of those who were able to talk. The victims, all members of the same family, spoke about the horrible scenes they witnessed during the Israeli raids on the people in different parts of Lebanon.

Ahmed Khalil is the father of the five injured children who were wounded in the Israeli bombardments of residential areas. The family hails from Belida, a village that lies a few kilometres away from Bint Jbail. Due to continuous raids on villages by Israel, it has been reported that 700 people, 300 of them children, were crowded into the village mosque.

Khalil, who suffered from Israeli atrocities twice and lost both his legs this time, said: "This is not the first time to face this kind of barbarism. I was hurt in 1974 in my right arm and I suffered many times before. But in the latest version of Israeli barbarity, I lost my two legs," said Khalil.

Showing a great deal of courage and hope in life even after this horrible experience, he said Alhamdulillalh (Thanks God).

Narrating his story, he said: "We were 12 persons who took refuge in the basement of our house to protect ourselves from the Israeli bombardment. All of a sudden we saw cluster bombs ripping the roof apart. I could see my legs being cut off from my body and I continued bleeding for about an hour until the Red Cross came to my help."

The Lebanese man, while thanking UAE for the support, said he would like to go back to his homeland. "I wish a ceasefire can take place and the Israeli massacres stop. I also call on all the countries to help the people in Lebanon, especially the Arab countries."

Ikram Ibrahim, Khalil's wife and mother of the children, said: "All my family, including my husband Ahmed were injured by shrapnel."

She narrated that her one-year old daughter Oula had shrapnel in her head and parts of her hands and legs.

"She has undergone two surgeries, one in Lebanon and the other one at Shaikh Zayed Military Hospital. She is in a stable condition now. She was in pain but thank God she is now improving," said Ikram while she was trying to pacify Ola who woke up and started crying.

The agonised mother narrated that Fatima, her 12-year-old daughter, was hurt in the bomb attacks that nearly crippled her as she had shrapnel in her limbs and had to undergo several surgeries. "She was operated four times as far as I remember in Lebanon and the UAE. She was not able to move her limbs. Now she is recovering and is in a position to talk and eat," lamented the mother.

Ayia, three and half-year old, had one of her fingers amputated and 11-year-old Ali is being treated after shrapnel inflicted wounds on his body. However, according to the mother, his condition is stable.

She said her 16-year-old daughter Amira had a fracture in one of her legs and is getting treatment. "I believe with the support extended by the UAE government and people, me and my family will be fine," said Ikram hopefully.

Khalil's eldest daughter Mira said that she wish to see an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon to stop the killing of civilians. She added, "We were afraid in the beginning, but now we are not. And we must face the violations of Israel."

Mira is in the last year in the secondary stage (Art Section) and plans to be a journalist to uncover the Israeli crimes against the civilians.

Her 12-year old sister Fatima said: "We will not surrender. We lived the hard times during the Israeli bombardment." She wished that the Israeli aggression would stop soon and hoped to go back to Lebanon.

Howaida, 8, who lost her eye in the barbaric Israeli attacks, covered her eye and walked away from the reporter when he tried to speak to her.

Aya, 3, who was hurt in her left hand, said 'Allah Akbar' while playing with her toy.

Medical sources at the hospital declined to reveal when the other wounded people will be discharged.