Posted on 07/17/2006 9:22:01 PM PDT by CedarDave
MONTREAL -- Grieving relatives of a Montreal family killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon say the Canadian government must hold Israel responsible for what they call a civilian "massacre.''
As many as nine members of the Al-Akhrass family, all Canadian citizens, were killed in a bombardment Sunday.
"We want justice,'' said Hassan El-Akras, whose father Ali was killed in the village of Aitraroun, 50 kilometres south of Beirut near the Israeli border.
El-Akras' name is spelled differently from that of most of his relatives.
His 70-year-old father was killed along with his aunt and uncle, Ahmed and Haniya Al-Akhrass.
Foreign Affairs confirmed late Monday that seven Canadians died in Sunday's air strikes but the Al-Akhrass family said at least eight of their relatives, and possibly nine, had lost their lives in the attacks.
Foreign Affairs informed the family that Hassan's cousin, 36-year-old Ali Al-Akhrass, died in hospital Monday. Family members had not confirmed his death with other relatives in Lebanon and were reluctant to believe the news.
Ali's wife Amira, 23, and their children, Salam 11 months, Saja, eight, Zeinab, six, and Ahmad, four, were killed in the blast Sunday.
"I lost my brother, I lost my sister, my nephew, the family of my nephew, my aunt, my uncle. Oh God,'' said Hussain El-Akras, whose brother was one of the victims.
"I'm frustrated, I'm angry. I can't sleep. I can't eat.''
Relatives say the families had returned to their ancestral home for a summer vacation.
They were forced to take refuge in the basement when an Israeli air raid hit the city. According to reports, the house collapsed after a bomb went off nearby.
"They're innocent,'' said Maysoun Al-Akhrass, sister of Ali Al-Akhrass. "They're Canadians like you who are dead.''
The deaths sparked anger against Israel, which is blamed by surviving family for targeting civilians.
"Everybody blames Hezbollah,'' said Maysoun Al-Akhrass. "Hezbollah is our protector.
"It's they who try to protect my family.''
Al-Akhrass said she spoke to her brother last week after the air raids had begun.
"They couldn't eat, they couldn't drink, they couldn't move,'' she said.
"I can still hear my brother... completely terrified to see his four children in front of him, his wife, his parents, his uncle and to hear the noise of bombs.''
Hassan El-Akras said he wants Ottawa to denounce the escalation by Israel and to better protect Canadians trapped in Lebanon.
El-Akras said he wants to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ask for an inquiry into the deaths of his family members.
"We want to bring these criminals to justice,'' he said.
"Israel came to our village and bombed our village,'' said El-Akras, calling it a `massacre.' "They bombard innocent people and they kill them.''
Foreign Affairs estimates 40,000 Canadians are stranded in the war-torn area, where the major airport has been bombed and major transportation routes shut down.
Harper says the evacuation of Canadians from the region should begin by mid-week.
Imane Mawassi, a spokeswoman for the community, said at least 200 civilians have been killed so far.
"We implore the Canadian government to take the necessary measures to help and prevent any other Canadians from losing their lives due to their inaction,'' she said.
The department did not release the number of Canadians who had been killed or injured in the conflict.
There are an estimated 250,000 Lebanese-Canadians, concentrated largely in Montreal and Toronto.
Sayed Nabil Abbass, a religious leader in Montreal's Lebanese community, said Lebanese are drawn to Canada not only because many speak French, but because it offers religious freedom and a large Lebanese community.
"Canada has many languages, many ideas, many communities,'' he said. © The Canadian Press
"Israel came to our village and bombed our village,'' said El-Akras, calling it a `massacre.' "They bombard innocent people and they kill them.''
Un-huh. No media bias in this story. None at all.
There are an estimated 40,000 "Canadians" in Lebanon. If all of those are returned to Canada, how many do you think will join local radical Muslims in plots to hit back at the Great Satan south of the border? Just wondering.
Basic assumption of risk here. You go to Lebanon, and you risk death.
Vacationing in Hezbollahland. Birds of a feather
"It's they who try to protect my family.''
By hiding you in a house next to a Katoushya rocket launcher, no doubt.
The family's response makes sense. I would want to know why my relatives would vacation in a terrorist stronghold.
"Everybody blames Hezbollah,'' said Maysoun Al-Akhrass. "Hezbollah is our protector.
Nuf Said.
Hehe.
With all respect to family: later, after the war is over.
Hezbollah is our protector.Then why aren't you demanding justice from Hezbollah, your protector?
Radical Muslims. Nothing to see here. Let's move on to the next crime scene caused by Hezbollah, not the Israelis.
"Everybody blames Hezbollah,'' said Maysoun Al-Akhrass. "Hezbollah is our protector.
"It's they who try to protect my family.''
If that's the way they think, good riddance.
...if they want reliable protection....they should try "condoms" next time.......
Stay glorious and free.
Don't do a thing to help these Hezbullies,
Don't do a thing to help these Hezbullies.
I had some compassion until that sentence.
Ya, there isn't much you can add to that...
Any possible sympathies are gone after that.
Memo:
Vacationing in Terrorist filled areas can be hazardous to your health...
I guess they were petrified with fear? First generation Canadians you recon?
I almost had a moment until I read that line.
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