THE story occurred in Tallusah, a village located on the hills of South Lebanon, Tuesday, three weeks ago. The village, inhabited by 1,000 people, seemed quiet. The men were out working and the women and children stayed at home, sheltered from the sun.

Intermittently, the wind blew, as if it were coming out of an “air-conditioner,” yet with it came the eye-stinging dust. Summer is between June and August in Lebanon, especially in the souther