BEIRUT: In a tragic turn of events, fresh clashes erupted between rival Palestinian groups in the Ein El Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, resulting in five fatalities and injuring 52 others. The violence flared up between the Fatah movement and armed groups within the camp, as reported by Lebanese media outlets.
The clashes between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement and other armed factions have been shaking the El Hilweh refugee camp since Friday. The camp was inundated with the sounds of heavy weaponry and shells, creating a chaotic and perilous atmosphere.
Furthermore, the Lebanese army disclosed that five of its soldiers sustained injuries when shells struck a military site near the camp, highlighting the broader implications of the conflict on the region’s security.
Established in 1948, Ein El Hilweh stands as the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, officially registering 50,000 inhabitants according to the UN. However, unofficial estimates put the camp’s population at a staggering 70,000 people. This overcrowding exacerbates the challenges faced by residents and authorities alike.
Lebanese officials, security agencies, and the United Nations have jointly appealed for a ceasefire agreement among the warring factions. Elias al Baysari, the interim chief of Lebanon’s General Security agency, has taken the initiative to attend a meeting between Palestinian factions scheduled for Monday, where he will emphasize the urgency of reaching a peaceful resolution.
In a ray of hope, the conflicting parties within the camp released a statement through Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency on Sunday, expressing their intention to adhere to a ceasefire. This commitment to de-escalation raises cautious optimism for a cessation of hostilities in the near future.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reported that hundreds of families, displaced by the ongoing conflict, have sought refuge in nearby mosques, schools, and the Sidon municipality building. The situation has prompted local organizations and the UN agency to set up additional shelters for those in need. Unfortunately, an initial effort by the municipality, the Lebanese Red Cross, and local community groups to provide tents for affected families was shut down by Lebanon’s prime minister and interior minister.
On a humanitarian front, Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics have established stations at the camp’s entrance to provide immediate medical care to the wounded. Additionally, they have been distributing essential food packages to displaced families, offering a semblance of support during these trying times.
