By Maurice Ostroff
Contrary to the impression created by the media, Israeli
bombing of Beirut has been confined to only 1% of the city. The targets have been confined to Hizbollah terrorist command
centers in the south.
In an article “As bombs hit south, life goes on
north of Beirut” in the Washington times Betsy Pisik wrote
“But just north of Beirut, business remains
strong in the lush resorts of the nearby Shouf Mountains. Nightclubs in the Christian suburb of Jounieh still rock to '80s
disco and '90s Eurobeat, and Lebanese who weathered the country's horrific 15-year civil war still sip arrack and eat hummus
late into the night.
Beirut, once the jewel of the Middle East, is wobbling back to its feet even as the Israeli army and air force pulverize
its southern region.
In the Hamra area, home to students and the campus of the prestigious American University of Beirut, more shops reopen
and traffic grows heavier by the day. Hotels that emptied at the beginning of Israel's assault on July 12 are raising rates
again, even though most of the guests are foreign journalists.
In the Achrafiyeh neighborhood, which is predominantly Christian and Sunni, streets are peaceful and increasingly busy.
The fabled night life, with its restaurants and nightclubs, is likely to pick up again by the weekend.
But in the glamorously rebuilt city center, shops selling luxury brands are not just closed, but swept clean. Fearing
air strikes, the owners have taken the diamonds out of Cartier”
Click here for the complete article
The following map issued
by the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson’s office tells the story graphically.