Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By CNA Daily News - Europe (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Maronite priest recounts his experience witnessing Beirut’s pager explosions

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Father Marwan Ghanem recounts his survival of the Sept. 17, 2024, pager attack in Beirut in an interview with ACI Mena, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner. / Credit: Courtesy of Father Marwan Ghanem

ACI MENA, Sep 26, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

On the afternoon of Sept. 17, Father Marwan Ghanem, the head of the Nusroto Al-Anashid Charity Association and Brotherhood of Prisons in Lebanon, was on his way to Beirut for a medical appointment. Before reaching his destination, he witnessed some of the pager explosions that rocked the country.

Aiding three wounded

In an exclusive interview with ACI Mena, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, Ghanem recounted his experience. He was driving in the Ghobeiry district toward his appointment when he stopped to ask a motorcyclist for directions. Suddenly, he heard a faint popping sound, and the motorcyclist fell toward Ghanem’s car, bleeding from the stomach. Ghanem’s shirt was also stained with blood.

Shortly after that, another motorcycle collided with the rear of Ghanem’s car, and the injured rider fell to the ground. Ghanem was shocked, as he had not heard any sounds of an airstrike or shelling in the area. All he could see were people falling around him and lying in pools of blood. At that moment, a large number of pager devices owned by Hezbollah members had exploded.

Wearing his black clergy robe, Ghanem lent a helping hand, carrying three wounded individuals to cars heading to nearby hospitals. Afterward, he drove on and saw dozens of injured people making their way to the Sahel Hospital in Ghobeiry, suffering from wounds to their stomachs, hands, faces, and eyes. 

Another car collided with the rear of Ghanem’s vehicle due to the widespread panic. The rear and rear-left windows of his car were damaged, and in Ghanem’s eyes, the scene was a river of blood.

The face of Christ in the wounded

Ghanem explained that when he got out to help the three wounded people, he did not consider whether they were Muslim or Christian. Instead, he recognized “the face of the wounded Christ on the road.” In such dire circumstances, he said, there is no distinction between a Christian and a Muslim, but rather everyone is human, created in the image of God.

The Maronite priest added that he had fulfilled God’s will by helping the wounded. Even if he only could get them to the hospital, he managed to help instead of leaving them to bleed on the road. He said he considers it a sin to not help the injured. He also noted that by getting out of his car, fear didn’t exist anymore — courage compelled him to help.

A miraculous escape

Ghanem also revealed that after the incident, he wondered what God wanted from him, as he had miraculously escaped the explosions. The doctor he was visiting had a pager in his office that had exploded, but the doctor was unharmed because he was in the next room with Ghanem. In an adjacent office, someone was injured and died. Ghanem believed that if he had been in the doctor’s office, he would have been injured as well. He thanked God for the long drive that delayed his arrival and said that he felt God’s grace had protected him, wanting him to continue his work in prisons and other humanitarian activities.

Ghanem said he considers all parties involved in the war to be losers. He reassured anxious Lebanese people and asked them to review their relationship with God, who does not abandon anyone.

How did the pagers explode?

The explosions of Hezbollah’s pagers killed 12 people and injured nearly 2,800 others, according to the Lebanese acting health minister, Firas Abiad. 

Two analyses emerged regarding the cause of the explosions: One suggests that Israel had booby-trapped Hezbollah’s pagers before they were imported; the other hints at wave interference and battery heating.

The day following these device explosions, walkie-talkies also belonging to members of Hezbollah exploded throughout Lebanon.

This story was first published by ACI Mena, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.


Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259475/maronite-priest-recounts-his-experience-witnessing-beiruts-pager-explosions


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.