US resident killed in Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, friend says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Smoke rising after an Israeli military strike in Lebanon on Oct 2. Israel’s recent military campaign there killed hundreds and wounded thousands.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
WASHINGTON – A US resident from Dearborn, Michigan, has been killed in Lebanon, the American government said on Oct 2, with the man’s friend and neighbours saying he died in an Israeli air strike.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Kamel Ahmad Jawad and our hearts go out to his family and friends. His death is a tragedy, as are the deaths of many civilians in Lebanon,” a White House spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, a US State Department spokesperson, when asked about reports of an American’s death in Lebanon, said: “It’s our understanding that it was a legal permanent resident, not an American citizen (who got killed in Lebanon) but we obviously offer our sincerest condolences to the family.”
Israel’s recent military campaign in Lebanon
Mr Jawad was in Lebanon taking care of his elderly mother, according to The Detroit News. His friend Hamzah Raza and local Dearborn groups said on social media that Mr Jawad was killed in an Israeli air strike and called him “one of the kindest and most generous humans”.
Reuters was unable to confirm the circumstances of Mr Jawad’s death.
Washington has faced criticism in some quarters for its support of its ally Israel – which is also waging a war in Gaza – including in Dearborn where there is a large Arab American population. REUTERS
