JIM LEHRER: And from Lebanon, a report from Julian Manyon of Independent Television News. He traveled south of Tyre today.JULIAN MANYON, ITV News Correspondent: We set out in mid-morning in a convoy that had formed chaotically in Tyre. Some Red Cross and voluntary workers, some Lebanese taxi drivers hoping to make big money, and about 20 cars containing journalists.
We were heading for an area near the border where thousands of refugees are said to be trapped. To get there, we drove down miles of deserted roads, through areas of devastation caused by Israeli bombing. Cars blown apart, buildings wrecked by powerful explosions.
The Israeli forces told us they would not guarantee our safety, but at regular intervals we phoned them to give them our position. The only traffic: a few carloads of people fleeing in the other direction. And then, as the road was blocked by a herd of animals, we saw refugees trying to get out on foot. They told us they had walked for three hours. They had no money for transport.
The Muslim villages we passed were damaged and silent. These places have been the focus of Israel's attacks. Then, we got to a Christian village called Rmeish to find a scene of chaos and despair. Terrified Muslims have fled here and are now desperate to get out to the north.
LEBANESE RESIDENT: Please, please, we want a lot of buses and cars to get rid us from this region. This region is under the fire, violent fire.
JULIAN MANYON: All around us, people in great distress, mothers trying to console their frightened children. They are living in appalling conditions. Women are forced to use the foul green water that comes from a stagnant pond in the center of the village.
The situation in this village is desperate, and apparently things are even worse at our original destination, Yaroun, just down the road over there. But it seems that we won't be going there. The Israeli forces have told us by telephone that Yaroun is now the scene of combat and under bombardment. They've told us firmly that we must not go there.
As our convoy turned around, people begged us to take them on board. The Lebanese taxi drivers were charging 300 pounds a passenger.
As we drove back, a shell, seemingly fired from the Israeli side, exploded near the convoy behind us. A journalist and two Lebanese suffered light injuries.
