More bombs going off. The hotel shakes as each one goes off, even though the targets are several miles away.
Haaretz.com is posting an AP headline that the French are organizing a ferry to evacuate French citizens. This is EXACTLY what the U.S. State Dept needs to do.
I'm sure you will be fine. Start writing a journal. :)
Just here to give you praise and encouragement, take care, I live in central Alaska far far away but am here with you in heart.
Message to Americans in Lebanon
The Department of State continues to work with the Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens depart Lebanon. As of the morning of July 15, we are looking at how we might transport Americans to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, Americans can then board commercial aircraft for onward travel. Commercial airlines provide the safest and most efficient repatriation options to final destinations.
The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date. In a subsequent message, when we have specific details about the transportation arrangements, we will inform you about the costs you will incur. We will also work with commercial aircraft to ensure that they have adequate flights to help you depart Cyprus and connect to your final destination.
The Department of State continues to work around the clock and will continue to send updates to you as appropriate.
Don't forget what someone posted about the lack of rebar reinforcements in the hotel walls. It is worth consideration that the French citizens might find themselves in deep doody with this evacuation, IF they can even carry it off.
What if Hamas or its friendly Iranian advisors hit the ferry? I'd have to think a ferry ride over very carefully. I might go on it, bit I'd have to think hard.
One can only hope that the French ferry fares better than than the Israeli warship that got hit. I suspect that concern is behind the State Department's decision not to pursue that avenue at this time. Also, keep in mind that the State Department would be really stupid to give much advance notice of how it's planning to evacuate US citizens. If Hezbollah has plenty of advance warning of a time and place that the Israeli military forces can be counted on to be taking a hiatus, they'll exploit it to the fullest. I'm not sure it's a smart idea for the French to be doing this advance advertising.
Just saw the tape of center city Beirut being bombed.
Praying for the safety of everyone in that area (except the terrorists).
What is taking our State Dept. so long to act in the interest of the safety of our citizens in Beirut?
Your reports remind me of the writings of the WW2 reporter, Chrostopher Isherwood, whose dispatches from Berlin were priceless for posterity.