|
|
Residents Flee Lebanese Town of Bint Jbeil
By: Michael Edwards, The World Today
Lebanon
July 25, 2006
ELEANOR HALL: The key border town of Bint Jbeil is now the hottest battleground in south Lebanon.
Israeli forces have moved down from the first Lebanese village they seized - Marun al Ras - and are now fighting pitched battles around Bint Jbeil, where many of the Australians in the south were based.
Most, if not all of those Australians are believed to have fled the area.
Michael Edwards spoke to Rani Bazzi, one of the last civilians to leave who says that few apart from the oldest residents remain in the war-torn town.
RANI BAZZI: I think there's no living condition, because I think everybody nearly, 85-90 per cent of the people went out yesterday.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: So there's very few people left in the town?
RANI BAZZI: Yeah, most of the people have left. Some old people refuse to leave their homes. They have nowhere to go. They'd prefer to die in their homes if they're going to die.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Is Israel leaving escape routes for civilians wanting to get out of the town?
RANI BAZZI: No, no escape routes. That's the only problem.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: What have you seen, and what have you heard?
RANI BAZZI: Well, I heard that some families, they were trying to escape two days ago, and they got hit by the Israelis - they were targeted. So people are afraid now to leave because they are targeted on the roads.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: But you and your family took the chance to escape to Beirut?
RANI BAZZI: Yeah, we had the convoy of about eight to 10 vehicles moved together with the white flag and moved (laughs).
MICHAEL EDWARDS: Did you see any Israeli planes, or were there any Israeli attacks when you were leaving?
RANI BAZZI: Well, there were planes all over, but thank god, nothing came by.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: And what word have you heard from people in Bint Jbeil, from friends who are still there?
RANI BAZZI: Well, the problem is now four days ago there were no contacts, not by land phone nor by cell phone. They're caught now. No news.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: And are there any humanitarian supplies that are getting through to the town?
RANI BAZZI: Not in Bint Jbeil, there are no supplies, it's too bad of now.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: What are your concerns for people who remain in Bint Jbeil?
RANI BAZZI: Well, they're short of supplies now, and no telephones to ask about them.
MICHAEL EDWARDS: And what did Hezbollah tell the citizens about Israel's intent towards Bint Jbeil? Did they give any warnings?
RANI BAZZI: Well, they give warning, yes, but these old people, they refuse to go out. They even told them to go out to... to come down to Beirut, but they refused.
ELEANOR HALL: And that's Rani Bazzi, one of the last civilians to leave Bint Jbeil, speaking to Michael Edwards.
|
|
