SIDON: Clashes continued Monday for the third day in the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon between members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah group and Islamist factions. The death toll from the fighting rose to 9.
A Lebanese military spokesperson confirmed the latest casualty toll at Ein el-Hilweh camp. Two troops deployed outside the camp were lightly injured, Col. Fadi Abou Eid said.
Despite many attempts by Lebanese parties and some of the Palestinian factions to broker a cease-fire deal, the clashes have not stopped in the camp, according to media reports.
The Lebanese army is stationed at a checkpoint outside the typically no go camp, which is controlled by the Palestinian factions.
The clashes started on Sunday after militants killed a Palestinian general from the Fatah group, Abu Ashraf al Armoushi, and 3 escorts in a parking lot.
On Saturday, an unknown assailant had tried to kill Mahmoud Khalil but fatally shot his companion instead.
Mediation efforts by Lebanese Shiite Amal movement
Later on Sunday, Palestinian factions said in a statement that they reached at a cease-fire agreement during a mediation gathering organized by the Lebanese Shiite Amal (LSA) movement and Hezbollah group in Sidon. But the parties did not respect the cease-fire agreement.
Some locals in Sidon region near the camp were displaced from their homes as stray bullets hit buildings and shattered storefronts and windows. The public Sidon General Hospital (SGH) evacuated patients and its staff.
The Fatah group condemned the killing of its security official, saying the strike was part of a violent scheme that targets the security and stability of its camps. It pledged to hold the attackers accountable.
Najib Mikati, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister, and Mahmoud Abbas both released statements Sunday condemning the violence.
