Your e-mails: Stories from the crisis

(CNN) -- CNN.com asked readers affected by the attacks in the Middle East to share their stories. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited:

We went down to the port of Beirut this morning to board our escape vessel as told to do. We were there at 8 a.m. ... People were lined up in the sun and some people started fainting. As 11 a.m. approached people started getting panicky and crowded the gate even more. ... Desperate tourists started to climb the gate fence (which by now had been shut on us); they were pushed back. People were putting their luggage over the fence like a mosh-pit. At one stage we heard a child screaming, then we see the child being lifted up over the gate to the other side by the arms. People then started screaming at the organizers (it was all in Arabic so I couldn't understand). The organizers told everyone at about 12:15 p.m. to go home because the boat wasn't leaving ... Shaken and teary, we headed back the safety of our host's home.... This sounds like a scary movie. I just wish I was watching it, not living it.
Jay Konduros, Beirut, Lebanon

I'm a Lebanese citizen, living in a Christian area of eastern Beirut. Every nation is evacuating her citizens but we are trapped here waiting our turn to come. We're not working; we're not going anywhere, we are just praying for Jesus to save us from this evil called war. "What about us?" I ask.
Nathaly Baroud, Beirut, Lebanon

I am a 30-year-old Chilean living in Israel for 4 years, married to an Israeli engineer. We have a baby of 5 months; we live in a kibbutz about 30 minutes from Haifa. I'm afraid that the Israeli Army will call to my husband to help. It is scary waking up in the morning and running to the TV to see if the bombs are falling more near our house. But we have to continue our lives, this is what the terrorists want, to paralyze us with fear, and we are not going to let them win. We already learn to live, letting the security check our handbags in supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, stores, hospitals, etc. to protect us from the suicide bombs.
Rocio Lam, Israel

I am a U.S. citizen currently "living" in Beirut. I was married to a Lebanese national in June of this year. We have not yet filed for his U.S. visa as we did not plan to leave Lebanon until next Christmas. My family in America has pleaded for my return. My heart splits as I see the bombs explode near my new family and home in Beirut.
Melisa Kratz, Beirut, Lebanon

How are the attacks affecting you? E-mail us to share your own story.

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