Yellowknife (Aug 11/06) - For nearly two weeks Atef Hamie, his wife and daughter endured the Israeli bombing of Beirut that started July 12, during a visit with their extended family living in the Lebanese capital.

Breakaway Fitness owner Atef Hamie was back to work last week safe and sound after he and his family made a harrowing journey from war-torn Lebanon to Jordan and then back home to Canada. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"I wanted to stay, I wanted to have happen to me what happens to them," said Hamie - a Lebanese-born Canadian - of the difficult decision he made to leave. "But (my family in Beirut) pushed me to go and we did, but I felt guilty leaving them behind."

As the Hamie's four month vacation was nearing an end, Israeli planes, tanks and warships began pounding Beirut and other regions of the country in retaliation for the abduction of two soldiers by Hezbollah forces, the militant organization which operates out of southern Lebanon.

A majority of the bombardment levelled sections of the city, a mere ten-minute drive from where Hamie was staying.

He recalled the constant smell of exploded munitions in the air from the bombing, which made venturing outdoors a dangerous proposition.

"You could go out and you may not come back because you never knew where the bombs were going to fall," he said.

With Hamie's four-year-old daughter becoming more frightened by the day and his family in Beirut urging the three to go, the decision to leave was made. After packing their bags, Hamie's brother drove the three to the Syrian border.

The Yellowknifer hired a taxi for a $100 to take them to Jordan where they were able to catch a flight to Canada.

Now back home, Hamie's emotions are a mix of anger, depression and worry.

"Things were looking good for Lebanon and Israel has destroyed everything. There's no airport, no streets no bridges and no hospitals," he said of witnessing the damage caused by Israel. "It's one thing to talk about it, but another to actually see it."

When asked if Hezbollah deserved any of the blame for creating the crisis, Hamie thought Israel wanted to invade Lebanon for a while, regardless.

"I don't believe this was just for the two kidnapped soldiers, I think Israel planned this (military) action and it was coming anyways," he said.

In regular contact with his family back in Beirut Hamie said that so far everyone is alright. In the meantime, he'd like to see the Canadian government put pressure on Israel to cease hostilities and the United Nations to impose a ceasefire.

"The UN is not doing anything, just watching people dying," said Hamie, who grew up in Lebanon during the Israeli occupation.

Hamie also said he'd like to thank the community of Yellowknife, where he's lived for the last 10 years, for its concern. "I love this city and I love Canada," said Hamie. "It's just hard to think about those we left behind."