Since Israeli bombs fell on Beirut, hundreds of thousands have fled the Lebanese capital. The ground offensive is likely to increase the number. But not everyone has a place to go.
Actually, his job is to bring people to Lebanon, to attract tourists who can spend a wonderful time with him, says Elias Khawana. On Tuesday he stands in the marina in the north of Beirut, surrounded by luxury yachts, large SUVs and apartments with sea views. Khawana looks at the water and says: “Today the sea is too rough for a crossing.” As a captain, Khawana has been taking tourists out to sea off the coast of Beirut for many years, taking them into the bays and past the mountain ranges. These days he doesn’t have any customers who want to enjoy the beauty of the country; at the moment everyone just wants to get away.