Muhsin Al Melhem, Lebanon "I don’t know how can we survive and overcome this tragedy"

On Saturday 12 August, just two days before a United Nations-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into affect, the Al Melhem family became another victim of a month of Israeli aerial attacks on Lebanon.

Muhsin Al Melhem is a poor farmer from the village of Akkar, around 40km north-east of Beirut. He depended on his working sons to support the family, until last Saturday.

“It was approximately 4:50 p.m. when the first Israeli missile hit Al Haikha Bridge in Akkar 10 metres away from our home. My sons Muhammad [13], Ali [18] and Ghassan [27] rushed out to check what was going on. Then a second missile hit the bridge, killing Ali instantly and severely wounding Muhammad and Ghassan.

“Ghassan and Muhammad were taken first to Akkar hospital where Ghassan had his right hand amputated. He was also severely wounded in the stomach and is currently in intensive care, in critical condition.

“Muhammad was taken on to Al-Maounat hospital [because Akkar hospital was not equipped to deal with his injuries]. He is also in critical condition. The doctor said they need to operate on his left leg every day in order to save it. He said that Muhammad has an open wound and a multi-fractured knee. They did a by-pass operation to try to save it but his wound is ischemic [blood supply is restricted]. However, we still hope to save his leg and we are doing all that we can to do so.

“Our family already lost two members before this incident. My brother, a police officer, and his son were killed three weeks ago when the Israelis bombed the Beirut port. With my eldest son killed and my other two sons severely injured, I don’t know how can we survive and overcome this tragedy.”

Also see:
Muhsin's voice is heard

HT/ED