Assorted Babble: Getting In and Getting Out within the Mideast

Via AP: People by the thousands evacuate Lebanon
Via Reuters: US sends ferry, thousands flee Lebanon by road and sea
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United States sent a ferry to Lebanon on Tuesday to begin its first major evacuation of Americans as thousands of foreigners packed bags to flee Israeli air strikes pounding the country.[read more]Picture caption: Greek ferry 'Ierapetra' (foreground) enters the port of Beirut July 17, 2006. The United States...

Via AP: Americans depart Lebanon as others wait
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Dozens of Americans were flown out of Lebanon by helicopter on Tuesday while hundreds waited in frustration for a passenger ship to take them to Cyprus. Hundreds of Europeans were able to depart Lebanon by ship and plane.
The Orient Queen, a rented cruise ship that can carry 750 people, steamed toward Beirut escorted by an American warship.

The ship left Cyprus and was expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon. U.S. officials said they expected to fill the boat.
Via Fox News: Up to 5,000 Americans Await Evacuation from War-Torn Lebanon
Update: Orient Queen got okay from Israel to enter Beirut, Lebanon port. It was first halted by blockade.
Cyprus destination -

Via Fox News: Israelis, Egyptians Open Gaza Border Crossing with Egypt
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Egypt and Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing on Tuesday for the first time in three weeks, triggering a rush to the border by thousands of Palestinians who had been waiting in Egypt.
USS IWO JIMA is on its way there!

About 300 Palestinians entered the Gaza Strip in the first hour of the crossing's opening. Another 5,000 Palestinians were waiting on the Egyptian side to go back to Gaza.

The crossing would be open for only one day, Palestinian official Hany Jabour told The Associated Press at the crossing. He said Israel had imposed the time limit on the opening.

*UPDATES*
IAF bombs 4 trucks carrying weapons from Syria to Lebanon Via ynetnews News Flash
The Israel Air Force attacked four trucks carrying weapons from Syria to Lebanon as it was travelling through the valley close to the border between the two countries. A tunnel and a bunker east of Tyre in which Hizbullah operatives were staying were bombed as well.
The Air Force also attacked two Katyusha launchers as well as a bridge and an automobile next to the site. (Hanan Greenberg)

Via Ynetnews: Iranian President: Israel trying to occupy Lebanon
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday many statements to fuel the fire -read more.

Breaking News: Fox News -Shepard Smith under fire in Nahariya, Israel
Rockets strikes one right after another....Shep is on the Israeli Border. An apartment building has been hit.....residents have evacuated to fall out/bomb shelters. Fire and Rescue personel are rushing in all directions. He is about 4 miles from the border....so far one victim may have lost their life. (Update: This was confirmed)
Via Haaretz: One killed in Katyusha strike on house in Nahariya

Via Haaretz: Newly founded 'Army of Suicide Bombers' marches in Gaza
About 100 veiled and heavily armed Palestinian women marched through the streets of Gaza City Tuesday.... Also more on previous post.

Hezbollah in the U.S.?? I hear yes....and has been for a long time. More on this story to come.

Tel Aviv Residents Put on Alert via Fox News

Remember to check out Batya at Shiloh Musings near Hiafa.

White House News Conference - Tony Snow live now!

*UPDATE*
Via Reuters: Iran's Hizbollah says ready to attack US, Israel

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's Hizbollah, which claims links to the Lebanese group of the same name, said on Tuesday it stood ready to attack Israeli and U.S. interests worldwide.

"We have 2,000 volunteers who have registered since last year," said Iranian Hizbollah's spokesman Mojtaba Bigdeli, speaking by telephone from the central seminary city of Qom.

"They have been trained and they can become fully armed. We are ready to dispatch them to every corner of the world to jeopardise Israel and America's interests. We are only waiting for the Supreme Leader's green light to take action. If America wants to ignite World War Three ... we welcome it," he said. [read more]