Yellowknife (July 26/06) - A Yellowknife gym owner, his wife and daughter are safe after their vacation to Lebanon was cut short when hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah erupted there July 12.

Yellowknife resident Atef Hamie and his family are safe and on their way home after escaping war torn Lebanon.

Atef Hamie and his family opted to escape the warzone by travelling overland to Amman, Jordan's capital, according to Breakaway Fitness club manager Kelly Robertson who spoke with Hamie last Friday. There they will catch a flight back to Canada Aug. 1. No other details were available.

The federal government is currently undertaking the largest evacuation of Canadians in its history. There are an estimated 50,000 dual citizens living in Lebanon who could potentially require safe passage here.

As of Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs was directing Canadians who needed evacuating to proceed to the Lebanese port city of Tyre. There, a ship would be able to accommodate 1000 people. Officials have also advised Canadians to travel, if possible, to Syria or Jordan where an airborne evacuation from the region could be arranged.

Hundreds of Lebanese citizens have been killed since Israel launched a campaign against Hezbollah militants following the capture of two Israeli soldiers.